Should GCSEs Be Scrapped? What It Might Mean for You and Your Child

With renewed conversations around assessment reform and curriculum changes across parts
of the UK, some headteachers and policymakers are again asking whether a full round of
high-stakes exams at 16 is still necessary.

GCSEs were originally designed at a time when many young people left education at 16.
Today, the vast majority continue on to A Levels, BTECs or other qualifications until 18. So
the argument goes: if education now effectively runs to 18, should assessment be
restructured to reflect that?

Some proposals suggest a more streamlined system, where students follow a broad
curriculum until 18 and are assessed more gradually, rather than sitting a concentrated set of
exams at 16. Others have called for a greater balance between exams and coursework, with
less emphasis on memorisation and more focus on applied understanding.

For now, however, GCSEs remain firmly in place in England. Students currently in Years 10
and 11 should expect to sit them, and schools are continuing to prepare pupils accordingly.

So what does this discussion actually mean for parents?

If anything, it highlights an important point: the purpose of education should extend beyond
exam performance alone. Exams may measure knowledge at a particular moment in time,
but strong learning habits, confidence, and the ability to think independently are what truly
sustain long-term success.

At Exceptional Academics, our approach reflects this. Of course, we prepare students
thoroughly for their exams. But we also prioritise understanding over memorisation, clarity
over cramming, and steady confidence over last-minute panic.

If your child is preparing for GCSEs and you would value structured, thoughtful support,
we would be happy to discuss how best to approach the months ahead.

Email us at: info@exceptionalacademics.com