Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that GCSE grade requirements are not blocking student progression into post-16 education.

The department does not set GCSE grade requirements for progression to post-16 education. Decisions about entry requirements are made by schools and colleges.

We are creating coherent post-16 pathways, with V levels, T Levels and A levels at level 3, and new occupational and further study pathways at level 2.

The further study pathway is aimed at supporting progression to level 3 for those who might not have the prior attainment and study skills necessary for what they want to do.

The 16 to 19 maths and English Condition of Funding requires institutions to continue teaching students who have not yet achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in English and/or maths (or equivalent), helping them to work towards these important qualifications. We have also just consulted on introducing new Level 1 qualifications in English and maths to support progression towards GCSE grade 4.