News & Events
NEC's First Home Education Workshop looks at ways ahead for GCSEs
October 20, 2008
Do it at Home – Home Education with Confidence
At a workshop held in London 30th September, a group of home educators spent the day examining how possible models for the next round of GCSEs will affect the independent learner. Also under discussion were IGCSEs and other qualifications on offer.
Growing the number of Exam Centres for Independent Students
In a bid to increase access for independent learners to exam centres, Education Otherwise (EO) and the Home Education Advisory Service (HEAS) have been in talks with The Independent Schools Council. 70-80 schools have already expressed an interest in providing access to exam facilities and it is hoped to run a pilot by taking private candidates, some with special needs, by the end of the year.
Turbulence with GCSEs
Following the introduction of controlled assessment for some GCSE subjects, QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) is investigating the various options available to home educators and other distance learning students.
In line with this, NEC is working through its GCSE and IGCSE portfolio to ensure that these qualifications continue to be an option for home educators.
Parents’ Guides to GCSEs
Valuable feedback on the current guides and recommendations for enhancing them will be incorporated in the final Parent and Student Guide due for publication by the end of the year. An electronic format will also be available, and an online forum will be established for community involvement.
NEC would like to express its gratitude to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for supporting its work in this way.
Contributed by Alison Cornell.