'Relentless' GCSE resit cycle 'simply not working', union says
The Association of School and College Leaders has criticized the mandatory GCSE resit cycle in England, calling it ineffective and damaging to students. The government plans to introduce a new Level 1 'stepping stone' qualification by 2028 to replace the current system.
Why it matters
The policy change aims to address the high failure rates and mental health impact on students trapped in a cycle of repeated exam failures.
Image source, Getty Images By Beth Rose Education reporter Published 20 August 2026 The "relentless" cycle of pupils in England failing and then resitting their GCSEs in maths and English is "simply not working", a leading education union has said.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said a "significant proportion" of students fall short of passing those subjects, and that most who retake those exams "face the miserable experience of falling short once again".
Thursday's results data showed nearly one in four maths and English GCSEs in England were taken by students aged 17 and older, mostly young people resitting exams they had previously failed.
The government said it wanted to stop the "endless treadmill of unnecessary resits".
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