Below is confirmation from the D of E re the Linked Pair pilot and the implications for school data.
Question
We also have a different scenario concerning the Maths GCSE Linked pair pilot that we would like you to clarify please. Our Year 9’s, and 10’s, are following the GCSE Maths Linked pair pilot with Edexcel, in both cases they will sit one paper at the end of Year 10 and the other at the end of Year 11. We understand that in the performance tables we count the ‘best’ result from the two papers (so if a student gets a C in applications (first sitting) and an A in methods (first sitting) we counts the A in methods as the Maths qualification, what we are unsure of and would like you to clarify please is:-
What happens to the C grade in applications as far as the performance tables are concerned in 2015?
What happens to the C grade in applications when we change to the new reporting method in 2016? Can it be counted in the ‘open’ section of the attainment 8 measure?
Are we right in thinking that the best grade will be double weighted in 2016 ?
Answer
In response to your final query, the 'A' grade would be used for the maths grade, but the 'C' grade would also count in other measures (e.g. the Best 8). In 2016 the 'A' grade will be double weighted and the 'C' grade will be counted in the 'open'section.