Commenting on the GCSE reforms announced today, Chief Regulator Glenys Stacey said that Ofqual would continue to put standards first and would advise on the timeline for change to ensure that the proposed new qualifications can be implemented safely.

In a letter to the Department for Education, she said: “We will advise Government on the timetable for change, and say if it is not achievable or if the risks to standards or delivery are unacceptable.

“We will wish to identify the delivery pressure points in the reform of GCSEs and intervene if we need to in order to manage any unacceptable risks.

“Our role will be to ensure the safe delivery of all qualifications – both new ones and existing ones – during and beyond the period of reform.”

On the move to a model of single exam boards for each subject, she said: “Safe delivery will depend to a large extent on the decisions on qualifications that Government makes, and the effect then on each exam board. There are longer term considerations as well, and we will begin work now on how they might be managed.”

The Chief Regulator welcomed the planned review of school accountability measures.

Download Stephen Meek’s letter to Glenys Stacey.

Download our letter to the Department for Education.