English universities await clarity on impact of GCSE entry bar

The prospect of GCSE Grade 5 passes in English Language and Mathematics is overdue. Having been an Admissions Tutor for number of years and teaching at Level 4, it is evident that Grade 4 - which almost everyone achieves - is no guarantee of an ability to express themselves in a lucid manner. Basic rules of grammar, punctuation etc. are so often totally absent that it is impossible to comprehend any narrative beyond a "stream of consciousness". Whilst a requirement of Grade 5 is, equally, no guarantee of lucid fluent written communication, it ought to be an indicator of greater comprehension and, therefore, ability, which are essential in healthcare related subjects where written communication is a precursor to good interprofessional and patient interaction.

The point of this process - technically 'matriculation' - is to ensure that students have the appropriate knowledge and skills to be able to benefit from university-level teaching. Without it, they may struggle or even fail. To deal with this, prospective students should be encouraged and supported to acquire the necessary qualifications or to take an 'access' course specifically designed to prepare them for study at a university.