HEADTEACHERS in Oxford are keeping an open mind after the Government revealed it could scrap GCSEs and bring back O-Levels.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said the current system – long criticised for being “easier” than its predecessor qualification – was not working for children.

Changes could be introduced as early as autumn 2014.

They would involve “tougher” exams in English, maths and the sciences while less academic children would sit a “more straightforward” exam.

Caroline Jordan, headteacher of Headington School and chair of the Girls’ Schools Association’s education committee, feels the current system is too focused on just passing a test.

Her school already teaches an international equivalent to GSCEs called IGCSEs.

She said: “We already offer many of our subjects as IGCSEs because we believe them to be more rigorous.

“Crucially they do not include controlled assessments which can take up huge amounts of teaching time during the course.

“We would welcome any change that resulted in removal of controlled assessments combined with the already proposed removal of modules which is planned from this September.”

Oxford Academy headteacher Mike Reading was open-minded about reform to GCSEs and hoped to see constructive discussion on the issue.

He said: “I have been in a position of leading a variety of schools.

“Each child is unique, each with their own needs and the curriculum and teaching in schools should reflect this.

“Until we have more detail from the Department for Education I am sure we will see a lively debate.”

O-Levels were introduced into the British education system in the 1950s but were replaced in 1988.

For those who didn’t take O-Levels there was the Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) which was aimed at those who weren’t necessarily going to go to university.

Gawain Little, secretary of the Oxfordshire branch of the National Union of Teachers, felt the proposals were a backwards step.

He said: “I think it is a huge mistake. The reason the system was reformed was to give every child the best.

“The idea that we would want to go back to a system which put so many people off education seems a complete nonsense.”

Mr Gove addressed the House of Commons on the issue yesterday saying GCSEs put “bitesize learning over deep understanding”.

He said: “We want to see every student in this country able to take world class qualifications.

“It is in all our interests that all our children to better than ever before.”