English Language GCSE - why it is a problem for external candidates

== English Language GCSE Edit ==
=== Why is English Language GCSE a problem for external candidates? Edit ===
English GCSE no longer includes coursework, but it does have a 
speaking and listening assessment, called the Spoken Language 
Endorsement ('SLE'). 
Schools will not normally accept private candidates for this part
 of the GCSE, although private exam centres may. Further- and 
Higher-education establishments are generally just as happy with the 
regular IGCSE. In schools, the speaking assessment is considered an 
"easy win" for most students, but it is generally more trouble than it 
is worth to arrange for external candidates.
==== How can you take the Speaking and Listening? Can you do the GCSE without it? Edit ====
Thanks to Julie Barker for this detailed explanation, contributed 
on 3 June 2018. Julie is the head of Faregos Exam Centre, which is a 
specialist exam centre for home-educated candidates. Faregos is 
JCQ-approved and is an examination centre for all the main exam boards. 
Over to Julie:''
There is frequent discussion about the availability of GCSE 
English language to private candidates- this is an explanation of the 
issues- This is NOT ABOUT IGCSE - where there are no problems at all and
 any references to speaking and listening components in those syllabuses
 are to entirely optional (and rarely done) choices.
The new 9-1 GCSEs have a speaking and listening component; "the 
SLE" -the centre organizes these and videos them; they are marked by the
 centre and a sample are sent to the exam boards for moderation. They no
 longer count for any % of the overall mark, but are reported on 
certificates as Distinction/Merit/Pass and Not Classified. The last 
grade covers those who fail the speaking and listening and those who 
don't turn up to sit it. (There is also the possibility of the centre 
applying to the exam board for an exemption for a student who could not 
complete it by reason of disability - that will have Exemption recorded 
instead of a grade for this component)
Originally Ofqual planned to make the SLE compulsory - ie not 
doing it would mean that the students couldn't pass the written paper;. 
they later relented. There was then a period where AQA said "no private 
candidates" so any who did sit this had to be entered as internal 
candidates- they have recently changed their mind.
So what is the situation?
- it is compulsory for the centre to offer it; but not for the student to sit it.
- however the exam boards make it clear that
"Where a candidate misses the scheduled date/time for his/her 
presentation, the centre must organise an alternative session." (AQA)
and AQA say
"The head of centre is required to provide a written declaration to us 
by a published deadline to confirm that reasonable steps have been taken
 to ensure that all
candidates whom the centre has entered for GCSE English Language 
haveundertaken the Spoken Language endorsement.
Edexcel say
"The SLE is a required element of the qualification. There is no 
separate entry code for theSLE as this is a linear qualification with a 
single code covering the 3 papers. Every student must have the 
opportunity to sit the SLE and the Head of Centre must confirm this in 
the declaration they submit with the recordings of the sample for SLE.
If it ultimately proves impossible for a student to sit the SLE, they 
should be graded 'NC' and 'Not Classified' will appear on their 
certificate for the SLE."
So - can a home educated student sit the GCSE? If the centre is 
willing to offer the SLE and video it alongside their own classes there 
is no problem. However many centres won't want the bother of inviting 
outside students into the classroom and will say no from the start.'''
The real problem lies with centres who say yes but who aren't 
offering the SLE; the head of centre will actually be signing the 
declaration when they know it isn't true. They may not get detected; 
however if the candidate is entered as a private candidate this year for
 example each entry required a separate declaration to the exam board
"When private candidates are entered for internally assessed components,
 we (The Awarding Body) need confirmation from the Examinations Officer 
that teaching staff at the centre will ensure appropriate supervision, 
authentication and marking arrangements for all coursework, controlled 
assessments and non-exam assessment (NEA) components. These are Ofqual 
and JCQ regulations,
I, ....................(Exams Officer) declare we will ensure that the 
appropriate supervision, authentication and marking for all 
coursework/controlled assessments/NEA for the candidates and courses 
stated below:...."
At least one centre local to us withdrew all their private 
candidates when they got these emails from the exam board - this was 
after the entry date so these students then had to pay late fees to 
re-enter at another centre willing to offer the SLE.
Additionally of course a missed SLE will be worded as not classified- the same working as those who failed it!
I hope this is helpful - Julie Barker