Union Criticizes GCSE Resit Cycle as Ineffective

The Association of School and College Leaders stated that the current cycle of resitting GCSE maths and English exams is 'simply not working' for a significant proportion of students.

Data from August 2026 shows nearly one in four GCSEs in these subjects were taken by students aged 17 and older, many of whom have failed the exams multiple times.

The government plans to introduce a new 'stepping stone' qualification at Level 1 by 2028 to provide an alternative route for students who do not achieve a pass in their initial GCSE attempts.