GCSEs in vocational subjects are designed to:

• replace Part One GNVQs
• provide an introduction to a broad vocational area
• enable progression to further education, training or employment
• be available at key stage 4 and post-16.

GCSEs in vocational subjects consist of three common, compulsory, and normally equally weighted units in each subject. The regulatory authorities in consultation with NTOs, subject associations and other interested parties developed the subject criteria. Assessment and awarding arrangements are governed by these national subject criteria which apply across all awarding bodies.

The qualification content is the same across awarding bodies. However the awarding bodies have used the subject criteria to develop their own individual approaches to internal and external assessment, and guidance on delivery and assessment.

The main features of the qualification are as follows:

Size	equivalent to two GCSEs (same size as Part One GNVQs)
Grading	A*A* to GG, with a U (Unclassified)
Levels	covers both level 1 (foundation) and level 2 (intermediate), as does GCSE
Assessment	usually one third external assessment (one unit) usually two thirds internal assessment (two units)
Certification	uses a Uniform Mark Scale (UMS) to aggregate unit results to give an overall qualification grade

QCA does not prescribe teaching/contact hours, but since these GCSEs are double awards, schools and colleges might want to allow double the amount of time they allow for other GCSEs. They might also want to take into account that longer blocks of time (double or triple periods, for example) will allow for work placement, or other practical activities, such as visits, role plays, presentations by students and/or visitors to be undertaken successfully.

Although the content of GCSEs in vocational subjects is quite similar to that for Part One GNVQs (albeit updated and reorganised), they are structurally and technically quite different from Part One GNVQs. However, the work a student produces towards a GCSE in a vocational subject could be re-assessed against the criteria for a six-unit GNVQ.

Subjects available from September 2002

The approved titles are:

• applied art and design
• applied business
• applied ICT
• applied science
• engineering
• health and social care
• leisure and tourism
• manufacturing.

Some subjects relate closely to the national curriculum at key stage 4:

• Manufacturing and engineering meet the national curriculum programme of study for design and technology.
• Applied ICT meets the national curriculum programme of study for ICT.
• Applied science can be used to meet the statutory requirements for science, although it does not meet the full national curriculum programme of study.

Withdrawal of foundation and intermediate GNVQs

The existing foundation and intermediate GNVQs will be retained until the regulatory authorities establish that there are suitable alternatives available. QCA will notify centres of these alternatives, the timetable for their introduction and the withdrawal of the GNVQ. The earliest possible date for the withdrawal of a GNVQ would be 2005.

Timeline

GCSE in vocational subjects

September 2002	First teaching begins
Summer 2004	First certification opportunity*

*If certification is required in summer 2003 after a one year course, students should begin Part One GNVQ in 2002.

Part One GNVQ

September 2002	Final opportunity to begin one year courses
Summer 2003	Final normal certification opportunity
January 2004	Final resit opportunity

Further information

Awarding bodies offering the qualification

AQA: www.aqa.org.uk
Edexcel: www.edexcel.org.uk
OCR: www.ocr.org.uk
WJEC: www.wjec.co.uk
CCEA: www.ccea.org.uk

Alternatively please contact: David Downes (telephone: 020 7509 5910; email: downesd@qca.org.uk

Regulatory authorities

QCA: www.qca.org.uk
ACCAC: www.accac.org.uk
CCEA: www.ccea.org.uk

Learning and Skills Development Agency (www.vocationallearning.org.uk) is managing the DfES-funded Increased Flexibility Support Programme, which will help centres to introduce the new GCSEs in vocational subjects and increase flexibility in the curriculum for 14- to 16-year-olds. Contact the LSDA helpline on 0870 872 8080 for further details.