If you liked that I would also recommend The Incandescent by Emily Tesh, which is a more grounded and realistic wizard school (what if wizards also had to sit their GCSEs).
October 1, 2026 at 9:42 AM
If you liked that I would also recommend The Incandescent by Emily Tesh, which is a more grounded and realistic wizard school (what if wizards also had to sit their GCSEs).
Millions of new skilled workers are needed - vocational GCSEs could help prepare them | The Conversation
Millions of new skilled workers are needed – vocational GCSEs could help prepare them
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
theconversation.com
October 1, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Millions of new skilled workers are needed - vocational GCSEs could help prepare them | The Conversation
In case you missed it: Yesterday evening's blog post.
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs
Two great links and one I wish was better.
andrewold.substack.com
October 1, 2026 at 6:00 AM
In case you missed it: Yesterday evening's blog post.
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
'Fantastic opportunity' as children given more GCSE options
'Fantastic opportunity' as children given more GCSE options
Bolton pupils could get vocational GCSEs in digital, construction and finance from September 2029, alongside V Levels and 200,000 new work placements.
dlvr.it
October 1, 2026 at 5:06 AM
'Fantastic opportunity' as children given more GCSE options
*(In the UK some schools only go up to GCSEs (exams at 16) so I went in to a different college to do my A-levels (exams at 18.) I did end up going to the college I visited on the day Tasha died, and I had a great time. Ironically, it’s where I first met other Trekkies.)
September 30, 2026 at 8:45 PM
*(In the UK some schools only go up to GCSEs (exams at 16) so I went in to a different college to do my A-levels (exams at 18.) I did end up going to the college I visited on the day Tasha died, and I had a great time. Ironically, it’s where I first met other Trekkies.)
New blog post.
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs
Two great links and one I wish was better.
andrewold.substack.com
September 30, 2026 at 5:40 PM
New blog post.
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
(£ or free trial)
PREMIUM: Two Stars and a Wish #61 featuring the debate about changing GCSEs andrewold.substack.com/p/premium-tw...
First afterschool D&D club of the new school year today, fresh new faces wanting to play dwarves and elves and bash things and set things on fire in the safety of their imaginations.
I have some kids who play who started in their first year of school and will be completing their GCSEs this year ♥️
I have some kids who play who started in their first year of school and will be completing their GCSEs this year ♥️
September 30, 2026 at 3:28 PM
First afterschool D&D club of the new school year today, fresh new faces wanting to play dwarves and elves and bash things and set things on fire in the safety of their imaginations.
I have some kids who play who started in their first year of school and will be completing their GCSEs this year ♥️
I have some kids who play who started in their first year of school and will be completing their GCSEs this year ♥️
New! Dr Fabian Stephany, @oii.ox.ac.uk @socsci.ox.ac.uk @ox.ac.uk argues vocational GCSEs could help tackle skills shortages as AI, net zero and an ageing workforce reshape the labour market. Read the full @uk.theconversation.com article below.
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
Millions of new skilled workers are needed – vocational GCSEs could help prepare them
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
tcnv.link
September 30, 2026 at 1:32 PM
New! Dr Fabian Stephany, @oii.ox.ac.uk @socsci.ox.ac.uk @ox.ac.uk argues vocational GCSEs could help tackle skills shortages as AI, net zero and an ageing workforce reshape the labour market. Read the full @uk.theconversation.com article below.
🎓 Announcing: Our Evidence Development and Incubation Team will lead an independent evaluation – commissioned by
@taso.org.uk – of the Exeter Exam Centre, a University of Exeter initiative that helps young people outside mainstream schooling sit their GCSEs.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/policy-...
@taso.org.uk – of the Exeter Exam Centre, a University of Exeter initiative that helps young people outside mainstream schooling sit their GCSEs.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/policy-...
September 30, 2026 at 11:36 AM
🎓 Announcing: Our Evidence Development and Incubation Team will lead an independent evaluation – commissioned by
@taso.org.uk – of the Exeter Exam Centre, a University of Exeter initiative that helps young people outside mainstream schooling sit their GCSEs.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/policy-...
@taso.org.uk – of the Exeter Exam Centre, a University of Exeter initiative that helps young people outside mainstream schooling sit their GCSEs.
➡️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/policy-...
We know mate, GCSEs didn't exist in the 80s either
September 30, 2026 at 6:11 AM
We know mate, GCSEs didn't exist in the 80s either
I have this conversation constantly with Shauna. They do Junior Certificate (at 16) and Leaving Cerificate (at 17/18) over there, and she finds my references to GCSEs and A Levels bizarre
September 29, 2026 at 8:03 PM
I have this conversation constantly with Shauna. They do Junior Certificate (at 16) and Leaving Cerificate (at 17/18) over there, and she finds my references to GCSEs and A Levels bizarre
There you go. Told you.
No. I am angry that 43,126 children have been forced out of the sector (many mid-year. Many with SEN. Many in the run up to a-levels or GCSEs) and over 100 schools have closed. My kids are fine.
Do you only care about yourself then?
No. I am angry that 43,126 children have been forced out of the sector (many mid-year. Many with SEN. Many in the run up to a-levels or GCSEs) and over 100 schools have closed. My kids are fine.
Do you only care about yourself then?
September 29, 2026 at 7:42 PM
There you go. Told you.
No. I am angry that 43,126 children have been forced out of the sector (many mid-year. Many with SEN. Many in the run up to a-levels or GCSEs) and over 100 schools have closed. My kids are fine.
Do you only care about yourself then?
No. I am angry that 43,126 children have been forced out of the sector (many mid-year. Many with SEN. Many in the run up to a-levels or GCSEs) and over 100 schools have closed. My kids are fine.
Do you only care about yourself then?
What Wales needs beyond GCSEs is a broader definition of achievement and a qualification system that gives every young person the opportunity to find the right route towards their ambitions ✍️Geraint Turner wp.me/p8Mk4U-1u7A
September 29, 2026 at 7:20 PM
What Wales needs beyond GCSEs is a broader definition of achievement and a qualification system that gives every young person the opportunity to find the right route towards their ambitions ✍️Geraint Turner wp.me/p8Mk4U-1u7A
In my day, pre GCSEs, that was commonly known as creative writing.
September 29, 2026 at 6:31 PM
In my day, pre GCSEs, that was commonly known as creative writing.
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
Millions of new skilled workers are needed – vocational GCSEs could help prepare them
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
tcnv.link
September 29, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
Millions of new skilled workers are needed – vocational GCSEs could help prepare them
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
Millions of new skilled workers are needed – vocational GCSEs could help prepare them
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
fllics.com
September 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Millions of new skilled workers are needed – vocational GCSEs could help prepare them
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
Preparing for an uncertain future is less about predicting which jobs will survive than developing skills that allow people to adapt as work changes.
WJEC have changed from separate Mathematics and Numeracy GCSEs to one 'double award' GCSE and we have the new courses (Higher and Foundation and the sample assessment materials buff.ly/uCdXreE #mathsteachers #mathsgcse
Dr Frost Learning
Dr Frost provides an online learning platform, teaching resources, videos and a bank of exam questions, all for free.
buff.ly
September 28, 2026 at 11:23 PM
WJEC have changed from separate Mathematics and Numeracy GCSEs to one 'double award' GCSE and we have the new courses (Higher and Foundation and the sample assessment materials buff.ly/uCdXreE #mathsteachers #mathsgcse
New vocational GCSEs unveiled | NDNA
New Vocational GCSEs Unveiled - NDNA
New Vocational GCSEs have been unveiled to be introduced from 2029 and could include child development as one of the subjects.
ndna.org.uk
September 28, 2026 at 3:55 PM
New vocational GCSEs unveiled | NDNA
Vocational GCSEs need a lifelong strategy | Lifelong Education Institute
Vocational GCSEs need a lifelong strategy
To truly solve the UK’s skills crisis, we must move beyond fragmented initiatives and build an education system that works for everyone
www.lifelongeducation.uk
September 28, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Vocational GCSEs need a lifelong strategy | Lifelong Education Institute
Last call to study Maths and English, including GCSEs or Level 1 Business & Retail with Learn Hounslow. Book an initial assessment on 020 8583 6000 and enrol to improve your chances of finding paid work. Enrol by Friday, 2 October 👉 https://ow.ly/L8GW50Zw52b
September 28, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Last call to study Maths and English, including GCSEs or Level 1 Business & Retail with Learn Hounslow. Book an initial assessment on 020 8583 6000 and enrol to improve your chances of finding paid work. Enrol by Friday, 2 October 👉 https://ow.ly/L8GW50Zw52b
Labour’s plan to introduce ‘vocational GCSEs’ risks repeating the mistakes of the past by retaining a two-tier approach to education, warns Roy Blatchford
‘Vocational GCSEs’ risk repeating the division of the past
We’ve had plenty of past attempts to build an education system that works for every pupil - and all have failed because they’ve been based on a two-tier model, warns Roy Blatchford
www.tes.com
September 28, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Labour’s plan to introduce ‘vocational GCSEs’ risks repeating the mistakes of the past by retaining a two-tier approach to education, warns Roy Blatchford
We can't find any publicly published update on the timetable since the Teacher Bulletin, DfE, 4 June 2026 which said the the consultation on the draft programmes of study and subject content for the first group of GCSEs would open this September
September 28, 2026 at 11:14 AM
We can't find any publicly published update on the timetable since the Teacher Bulletin, DfE, 4 June 2026 which said the the consultation on the draft programmes of study and subject content for the first group of GCSEs would open this September
We are very pleased to see the announcement of vocational GCSEs as a vehicle for delivering on the government's commitment to strengthen post-14 vocational pathways.
Read from in FE News -
www.fenews.co.uk/fe-voices/ne...
Read from in FE News -
www.fenews.co.uk/fe-voices/ne...
https://www.fenews.co.uk/fe-voices/new-vocational-gcses-to-replace-technical-awards/
www.fenews.co.uk
September 28, 2026 at 8:48 AM
We are very pleased to see the announcement of vocational GCSEs as a vehicle for delivering on the government's commitment to strengthen post-14 vocational pathways.
Read from in FE News -
www.fenews.co.uk/fe-voices/ne...
Read from in FE News -
www.fenews.co.uk/fe-voices/ne...
School Halloween disco poster… AI… despite school full of children who can draw and some of whom are doing art GCSEs…
Sigh.
Sigh.
September 28, 2026 at 8:20 AM
School Halloween disco poster… AI… despite school full of children who can draw and some of whom are doing art GCSEs…
Sigh.
Sigh.