Making every exam count: Harlow College's experience with Eduqas GCSE Mathematics
For further education colleges across England, supporting learners through GCSE Mathematics means keeping them engaged all the way through to the final exam. At Harlow College, that had become a persistent challenge and switching to Eduqas helped change it.
"The appeal of two exams was a big one", he says. "Logistically, we had students not turning up to the third exam. With three exams, if one of the first two didn't go very well, a student would feel disheartened.
The two-exam model changes that dynamic. If the first paper is difficult, 50% of the marks remain available in the second, giving learners a reason to stay engaged rather than disengage before the series is complete."
Harlow College moved to Eduqas in 2021 following a recommendation from Nelson and Colne College at a CPD event. By 2025, exam attendance had reached 92% the highest the college had ever recorded.
"There was an immediate improvement in outcomes and attendance," Mark says. "Students know that one difficult paper doesn't end their chances. That changes how they approach the whole exam period."
Watch the video to hear more from Mark about Harlow College's experience.
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