A string of GCSE subjects deemed to be ‘too easy’ are facing the axe as part of a radical overhaul by the Government’s exam watchdog. Courses such as Leisure and Tourism, Health and Social Care, and Preparing for Work and Life – which teaches pupils about finding and applying for jobs – could be stripped of their status as GCSEs. Education Secretary Michael Gove is already toughening up core subjects such as maths and English to boost the exam’s academic reputation. Now regulator Ofqual is set to draw up rigorous guidelines that are expected to result in a swathe of  ‘soft’ qualifications losing their GCSE label.
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Critics believe 'Mickey Mouse' qualifications are popular with teachers as they allow less academically gifted children to achieve passes
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One question in last year’s Leisure and Tourism exam: ‘Old Trafford is the home of Manchester United Football Club. This is an example of a major sports venue. Name one other example of a major sports venue’
Figures released last week show the number of pupils taking @placeholder this summer is 7,461 – a 120 per cent rise compared with the previous year.