Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 April 2026
Correspondence with OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) on Withdrawal of Selected Cambridge OCR General Qualifications dated 20.04.26
From: Education Committee
Summary
Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Committee, writes to OCR's Managing Director requesting detailed information about OCR's announced withdrawal of selected GCSE, AS Level and A Level qualifications, with final assessments in June 2027 and 2028. The letter seeks clarification on decision-making evidence, stakeholder consultation, impacts on pupils and teachers, and transition arrangements, citing concerns about curriculum planning, staffing, and equitable access.
Key findings
- OCR announced on 19 March 2026 the withdrawal of selected general qualifications, generating concern about curriculum planning and staffing implications for pupils partway through secondary education
- Committee requests evidence and data on entry trends, centre uptake, and projected demand that informed the withdrawal decision
- Seeks confirmation of whether schools, colleges, subject associations and other stakeholders were consulted before the decision was finalised
- Raises concerns about impacts on pupils with limited alternative awarding organisations or subject options, and potential effects on subject diversity and progression routes
- Committee notes there will be no resit opportunity beyond June 2028 final assessment window and requests clarification on steps to prevent disadvantage to existing cohorts
Tone
ProceduralTopics
qualificationscurriculum-policyeducation-accesssecondary-education
Key actors
Helen Hayes MP, Myles McGinley, OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA), Geological Society, Education Committee
Notable line
“Given OCR's significant role within the qualifications system, the Committee would welcome greater transparency about the decision - making process and its implications.”
Key Quotes
“… this announcement has generated concern particularly regarding curriculum planning, staffing, and the potential impact on pupils who are partway through their secondary education”
“The Committee notes that there will be no resit opportunity beyond the final assessment window in June”
“We note, for example, concerns raised by the Geological Society about the implications for the geoscience pipeline and for equitable access to geology education.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗