Guernsey must scrap GCSEs, but could go for own exam

GCSEs are almost certain to be scrapped in Guernsey after 29 years.

The Education Department is expected to announce the move officially by the end of the week.

But Denis Mulkerrin, who was commissioned to review both secondary and primary education, said yesterday it would not be possible for Guernsey students to continue sitting GCSEs in their current form once England had replaced the exams in 2015.

'They could not continue the way they are at moment,' he said.

The Education Department released a short statement saying an announcement would be made by the end of the week 'once the implications of the proposed changes in England have been considered by the relevant staff'.

Mr Mulkerrin, pictured, who has been nominated for a seat on Education's board as a non-States member, was speaking after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Education Secretary Michael Gove yesterday announced plans for GCSE exams to be replaced in core subjects by a qualification called the English Baccalaureate Certificate.