GCE Government and Politics qualifications to be withdrawn (H095, H495)

Following a review of qualifications available for redevelopment for first teaching in 2017, OCR has made the difficult decision not to redevelop AS and A Levels in Government and Politics. We know that this will be disappointing news for teachers.

OCR offers as broad a range of qualifications to support teachers and students as possible. However on-going reform by government and the exams regulator, low levels of uptake and economic challenges, mean that AS and A Levels in Government and Politics will no longer be available following the final assessment series in summer 2018 (resits in summer 2019 to be confirmed). As a not for profit organisation, this is a difficult decision based on managing our commitments to reach as many teachers and learners as possible.

We will continue to support and assess the current qualifications up to the conclusion of the final assessment series.

*Resit arrangements are still to be confirmed. Ofqual, the regulator for qualifications, examinations and assessments in England, has launched a public consultation on resits for legacy GCSEs, AS and A levels. You can find more information and give your views on the consultation via the Gov.uk website. This consultation closes on 2 February 2016. 

When the results of the consultation and Ofqual’s position on resits are announced, we will send out a notice to all centres confirming the position and arrangements for centres. 

For further information on deadlines for submitting entries, entry amendments/withdrawals and the submission of marks for internal assessment please see the Admin guide and entry codes: 14-19 qualifications.

OCR has a range of other subjects available that have been redeveloped for first teaching in 2015 and 2016, e.g. AS/A Level History and AS/A Level Sociology. We are currently developing other AS, A Level and GCSE subjects for first teach in 2017.

AS and A Levels in Government and Politics may be redeveloped by other awarding organisations. Information on the DfE consultation on subject content for Government and Politics can be found here. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the Political Studies Association who have been involved in the reform of AS and A Levels in Government and Politics and have an active schools network.

If you have any queries about this notice, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or email politics@ocr.org.uk.