GCSE English language needs "urgent attention" warns OCR

Speaking at the Westminster Education Forum, Jill Duffy, Chief Executive of OCR, has called for the subject to be prioritised by the curriculum and assessment review.

28 April 2025

Students in uniform smile and put their hands up

Jill Duffy gave the keynote speech at the Westminster Education Forum conference 'Next steps for the school curriculum and assessment in England', and told attendees that the current English Language GCSE "doesn't give students the chance to study language that is relevant to them."

OCR, the UK exam board of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, first raised concerns about the GCSE's unpopularity with students and teachers in its Striking the Balance report into 11-16 curriculum and assessment in England. This was based on extensive consultation with teachers and students - consultation that has continued since the report was published. This consultation made clear that the current subject is missing opportunities to teach students the joy of English.

Jill Duffy said: "We need a clearer distinction between English Literature and Language - and improvements to both. One problem with the Language GCSE is that it asks students to replicate the kinds of analysis they are doing in Literature and therefore fails to expose students to the full variety and potential of the English language.

"Teachers tell us their students would find it far more engaging - and useful - to be analysing modern forms of writing, pieces of multimedia, or famous speeches, and developing relevant skills for work and life."

"Teaching young people how to talk, how to listen, or more fundamentally how language can be used and abused, is not prioritised by the current GCSE. In an age where it's more important than ever that they can assess arguments and see through misinformation, this is a glaring omission."
Jill Duffy, Chief Executive of OCR
A teacher shows a text to the students gathered around her

The current GCSE is also a missed opportunity to develop students' confidence in oracy, which does not currently contribute to a student's final grade.

Jill Duffy said: "A lack of oracy skills can have lifelong implications that go way beyond a child's education. There is some excellent practice happening, such as schools working with the charity Voice 21, but this is happening in spite of the current system rather than because of it."

The speech was looking ahead at the next steps for the ongoing curriculum and assessment review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis. The review team's interim report set out key areas it would be looking at, including whether the volume of assessment at GCSE could be reduced - a key finding of OCR's Striking the Balance report.

Jill Duffy continued: "The English Language GCSE is an opportunity to instill the joy of language into young people and to give them confidence in their own communication skills.

"This subject has so much potential that is currently being completely ignored. That's why it must be a priority, alongside maths, for Becky Francis and her team."

Read OCR's Striking the Balance report

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