Is it time to phase out GCSEs?

In this episode, we get curious about curriculum redesign and innovation with Will Goldsmith, Headteacher of Bedales School in the UK.

Bedales, along with Latymer Upper School, made news headlines in September 2023 for ditching GCSE qualifications.

Bedales' 10-year curriculum redesign involves replacing GCSEs with their own Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs) to better equip students for the next stage in learning and life.

 

In this episode, learn about: 

2:00 Bedales’ history of innovation

4:19 Daily life at Bedales

6:21 Search for reform

10:13 A GCSE-free curriculum

13:16 Bedales Assessed Courses

19:11 Reclaiming time for learning  

25:11 Examples of courses at Bedales

28:39 The value of curriculum redesign

33:10 Universities' recognition of BACs

36:44 Getting stakeholders onboard

40:49 Small steps towards reform

44:51 The future of curriculum and assessment

46:19 Lessons learned in leadership

 

Learn more about schools redesigning curriculum:

• Bedales School
• Latymer Upper School

 

Articles:

• Busby, E. (2023) Private school to move further away from ‘outdated’ GCSEs, headteacher says
• Wiliam, D. (2013) Redesigning Schooling – 3: Principled curriculum design

 

Resources

• ASCl, The Forgotten Third
• The School-Directed Courses Consortium
• The Times, Commission on Education

 

Credits

Hosted by Kai Vacher
Produced by Stuart Pardoe, Zoe Snell, and Marion James
A BSM BSS production