The Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove announced a major u-turn on proposed GCSE reform. The new English Baccalaureate Certificates to be set by a single examination board are to be scrapped. Mr Gove, having taken the advice of the Education Select Committee and Ofqual, admitted that this had been "one reform too far."

However, in the light of this u-turn, Mr Gove indicated that the government still plans to reform existing GCSEs along the lines issued in September 2012. GCSEs will become linear, focussing on examination which will test extended writing. There will be fewer bite-sized questions leading to short or descriptive answers. To lift the ceiling on attainment, there will be no foundation tier papers, but the possibility of extension papers for the most able. He has asked examination boards to prepare new specifications for history for 2015. 

The Secretary of State also stated to the House that accountability measures would become fairer. League table positions will now be decided by average point scores tracked from Key Stage 2-4 and spread across 8 subjects, including history.

The Historical Association welcomes the announcement that GCSEs are to be retained and reviewed to ensure rigour. We also welcome the changes to league table accountability. This will provide greater equality for subjects across the curriculum and potentially a more accurate measure of progress.

However, there are still some concerns and unanswered questions in terms of what this will mean for history.

A letter written by Mr Gove to Ofqual clearly outlines that new examination specifications for history can be expected by 2015. You can read Mr Gove's letter to Ofqual here. This is a very tight schedule for both examination boards and schools and it is important that students do not become disadvantaged by rushed through reformed specifications that are ill-thought through. In the same letter, Mr Gove also indicates that requirements for subject content for these new specifications will be issued for consultation by May of this year.

If history is to become an accountability measure, steps must be taken to ensure equality of access to history at GCSE for all and not a system which actively bars weaker students from opting for the subject for fear of affecting league table positions.

If progress is to be measured in average points from Key Stage 2-4, this would suggest the need for some kind of formal assessment of progress in history at Key Stage 2. This means that primary teachers, who are in the majority non-specialists, will need to possess a secure knowledge and understanding of progression in history.

While the statement to the House on February 7 can be welcomed, the possible unintended consequences of these changes must be fully considered.