Navigating GCSE and A level reform

Student-centred qualifications. For every future.


Helping you navigate GCSE and A level reform with confidence

Curriculum reform is creating significant change across GCSEs and A levels. Following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, schools need clarity on what’s changing, what it means for students and how to plan with confidence. We’re here to help you navigate that change.

Why partner with Pearson during GCSE and A level reform? 

As reform evolves, we’re committed to giving you more than reassurance. We’ll provide clear, practical support you can act on—and qualifications designed to help students progress with confidence. You can expect to have:

  • Confidence – trusted qualifications and assessment that support student progression. 
  • Clarity – straightforward guidance and practical support to help schools plan ahead.
  • Coherence – a joined-up approach from Key Stage 3 through to post-16. 
  • Relevance – qualifications designed around the knowledge, skills and experiences students need for the future.

So you can move forward with confidence, and support every student to succeed, progress and prepare for their future.

Our approach: Student-centred qualifications

At Pearson, we see reform as an opportunity to develop qualifications that are relevant, empowering and fair, helping every student build confidence, make progress and prepare for what comes next. Alongside teachers, we’ve developed these guiding principles to underpin our new, reformed qualifications. 

 

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Relevant

Qualifications that connect learning to the real world and reflect the students in your classroom, with inclusive content, meaningful contexts and the right balance of knowledge and skills.

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Empowering

Qualifications that build confidence, deepen understanding and support every student’s potential—helping them grow in capability as well as achievement. 

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Fair

Qualifications that work for all students—and for you—with clear assessment, accessible design and support that helps reduce unnecessary workload. 

What reform means for your subject 

Reform will look different across subject areas. Explore how student-centred design comes to life in each subject: 

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The future of post-16 vocational qualifications at Levels 2 and 3

Qualification reform is also reshaping the post-16 landscape in England. Discover our guide to understand what is changing, when it is happening and what it means for your organisation.

Learn more

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Coming soon

Join our autumn-term webinar series for practical guidance on qualification reform, with Pearson experts sharing sector insight and support to help you plan with confidence.

Topics, dates and registration links will be shared soon.

Latest news

  • The 12 days of literacy

    This year, we’re swapping the 12 days of Christmas for 12 days of literacy delights – encouraging reading and writing for pleasure throughout the festive holiday and beyond!

  • Diversity and inclusion in Maths with Hannah Fry

    Five ways to challenge data bias and support representation in Maths - Professor Hannah Fry on #DiversityInData

    Hot on the heels of her #DiversityinData webinar, run in partnership with Pearson, Professor Hannah Fry reflects on her top five takeaways to support teachers and educators in challenging data bias and supporting diversity and inclusion in Maths. 
     
    Professor Fry is a leading mathematician, best-selling author, award-winning presenter, and Professor in the Mathematics of Cities at the UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis. The webinar, attended by hundreds of teachers and educators on 30 November, explored the power of numbers and ethics within research and data collection. In addition, it explored gender inequality in STEM and ways to remove bias to ensure fair results.

  • Words last a lifetime’ Alison Kriel on Broadening the Curriculum

    On the 11th November, in a Pearson webinar, former Headteacher and specialist speaker on anti-racism, Alison Kriel, shared her views about ‘broadening the curriculum’, opening up conversations about identity, race and inclusion with the audience. Here, Alison reflects on key points for teachers to consider – starting with the incredible power of words.

Next steps

Stay informed as reform progresses. Sign up for updates to receive the latest guidance, key milestones and subject-specific information. If you'd like to discuss what curriculum and assessment reform could mean for your school or college, our team is here to help.

Sign up for updates or talk to us

Pearson. For every future.