Changing GCSEs in 2026: Is your tutoring ready?

Fewer exams, more assignments, and less stress? Is coursework returning to the GCSEs?

Published earlier this year in March 2025, Labour's interim report signals what has worked well and what needs drastic change in the present national curriculum. Of particular interest, a complete overhaul to GCSE grading and assessments may be around the corner, which could mean placing a greater emphasis on coursework rather than the high-stakes exams of the last decade.

When coursework was first reduced or (in some subjects) removed entirely by the Conservative party in the 2010s, this move was made to address concerns about plagiarism and fairness; coursework was seen as subjective and inconsistently marked whereas standardised testing meant that, in theory, teacher bias and grade inflation would be stamped out. 

That said, students in England typically sit between 24 and 31 exams which is in excess of most other high-performing countries, yet our overall performance still lags behind comparatively on the international stage, especially in Mathematics. 

It’s clear that something needs to change, and if the Labour government does decide to reduce the overall volume of assessments pupils sit, let’s see why that is the case and how tutors may be expected to adapt to get ready for changing GCSEs, without compromising student results.

Why are these changes being proposed?

Anxious test-takers may be breathing a sigh of relief at the prospect of fewer exams, and are probably not surprised to hear that more than three-quarters of GCSE educators have reported seeing mental health issues related to exam anxiety, which is one of the key reasons Labour is proposing these changes.

As outlined in the Labour Party’s interim report, in summer 2024, over half of GCSE and A-level students found it difficult (39%) or very difficult (16%) to cope with the stress and extreme pressure. In subjects like Maths and English Literature, a student’s grade is entirely determined by their final exam performance, and may not be an accurate reflection of their intellectual capacity at different points across their course. This may especially ring true for students who suffer from performance anxiety and who would normally be able to recall information very well.

That said, an approach which leans too heavily on coursework could be tricky to consistently assess, especially given the prevalence of Generative AI which makes plagiarism all the more difficult to detect (I had also spoken about this briefly in my blog about Artificial Intelligence here). Exams also mitigate against the introduction of bias in cases where teachers have to use their own judgement to mark student work as opposed to standardised assessments.

Looking beyond these potential pitfalls, unlike exams, coursework allows for deeper understanding and subject knowledge retention, which in turn fosters critical thinking and research skills. In England, exams, results, and league tables can dominate the way in which teachers approach their lessons, according to a study from KCL, which can hinder the quality of teaching. Reducing learning to an ultimate end goal also takes away from what learning should be: a consistent development of the mind.

How might tutors be expected to adapt in readiness for changing GCSEs?

If these changes were to come about, students will not only need help with exam preparations and exam practice questions, but also planning, research, presentation and writing guidance for coursework and assignments.

Tutors will be expected to help students balance memory and application, and to develop those broader skills, like time management, akin to a project mentor and revision coach combined. That is to say, tutors will need to familiarise themselves with any assignment structures and with any grade rubrics provided.

A helpful tactic could be to examine how other curriculum tackle coursework and what their guidance may be. Taking a look at example writing and model answers from resources available online, whilst developing the student’s authentic voice and writing, would be crucial.

How to choose the right tutor in this new landscape?

Parents will need to consider tutors who bring with them excellent subject matter knowledge beyond their understanding of the exam specs (although that will likely still remain important!). For instance, a tutor who is well-versed across curriculum beyond GCSE and A-levels, like that of the International Baccalaureate or other worldwide systems, would offer a well-rounded perspective.

When parents choose to start tutoring will also need to be taken into account. As any implemented coursework would be a year-round endeavour, perhaps choosing to start tutoring earlier in the term and not just leading up to the exams in the second term would be the best course of action. That way, children would benefit from year-round support.

Final Thoughts

Where I’m originally from in Canada, student assessment and evaluation are cumulative, and have been for decades, meaning they are an ongoing process throughout the course, not just focused on final exams, which contribute roughly 30% to the final grade.

Though  England is one of the best-performing countries in terms of school-age attainment,  among the OECD, a few countries like Canada deliver both stronger average attainment and lower inequality. Could this be down to how we assess our children?

In any case, the Labour Party's final report on their education review, which includes curriculum and assessment, is expected to be released in autumn 2025. Until then, we will just have to wait to see what changes are proposed and keep a beady eye as to how these will affect attainment in the future generation of GCSE takers.

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Blog Post Crafted by Cheryl

Cheryl manages our Admin Team, and is a qualified teacher with 5 years' experience in schools across England and Canada.

Cheryl graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Education. She tutored secondary school students in English for over nine years in Canada.

Cheryl speaks Cantonese, English and French, and in her spare time, she can be found illustrating and reading children’s books for inspiration.