Vocational GCSEs

From September 2029, pupils will be able to undertake vocational GCSEs as part of a new technical educational pathway. Designed to sit alongside core academic GCSE subjects like English and maths, the new qualifications will have an emphasis on skills and preparing pupils for the world of work.

Standards for the new qualifications will be set nationally by the regulator Ofqual to ensure grades are in line with other GCSEs and will gradually replace other qualifications at this level such as BTec awards.

A consultation will be launched later in the year to shape what the qualifications will look like. They will be developed alongside the ongoing review of existing GCSEs prompted by last year’s curriculum review.

Subject options could include business management and finance, creative media production, digital tech, child development and building and construction, the DfE said.

From September 2026, English secondary schools are expected to reform their work experience programmes to provide a minimum of two weeks of workplace experiences by Year 11.