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  • Closed consultation Consultation on The Future of CCEA Qualifications

    Topics:
    • Curriculum and learning

    Consultation closed Consultation opened 18 September 2025, 10.00 am and closed 13 November 2025, 11.59 pm

    Summary

    The Department of Education is consulting on proposals on The Future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels.

    Documents

    • Consultation Document - The Future of CCEA GCSEs, AS Levels & A Levels Adobe PDF (498 KB)
    • Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) - The Future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels Adobe PDF (220 KB)
    • Equality Screening - The Future of CCEA GCSEs AS levels and A levels Adobe PDF (350 KB)
    • Privacy Notice - The Future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels Adobe PDF (165 KB)

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    Consultation description

    The Department is seeking views on proposals on the future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A Levels with a focus on reducing the burden of assessment and enhancing the depth of student learning.

    CCEA has a legal duty to regularly review its qualifications to ensure they remain current, fair and portable for students, schools and employers. Subject specifications are normally reviewed every five years. CCEA’s GCSE and A level subject specifications were last reviewed in 2015/16, so a review is overdue.  The first step in the review process is for the Department to set out the overarching qualifications policy framework which will guide the review of CCEA specifications. This framework sets the rules and principles on which qualifications should be developed, including structure, content, assessment and grading.  The consultation document provides more in-depth details on the proposals.

    The Department encourages all those with an interest in education to engage with the consultation and complete the questionnaire. Insights and experiences from across the community will be vital in shaping a qualifications system that empowers all students to thrive and succeed.

    Young person version of the consultation survey can be completed here:

    • Young person Consultation on The Future of CCEA Qualifications

    Ways to respond

    Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.

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