Education Secretary Michael Gove's decision to change GCSEs in England means pupils around the UK could be sitting different versions of them.

From September, students starting GCSEs in England will take their exams at the end of their two-year courses.

At the moment, they can take GCSEs "in chunks" over two years – but mr Gove believes this makes them less rigorous and narrows down what is studied.

But in Wales, schools will be able to choose between the two styles.

In Northern Ireland, no decision has been taken to change its system – which allows exams to be taken in either fashion – but an announcement is expected soon.

Pupils in Scotland mainly take Standard Grades although this system is due to be changed in 2014. a small number take GCSEs.

Resits limited

Mr Gove has pledged to improve the exam system in England.

He has said the trend for taking exams in modules – and for resits – has led to a downgrading of standards because it encourages teachers to "teach to the test" rather than give pupils broader knowledge of a subject.

Resits are also being limited under changes coming in from September.

Because power over education is devolved to the UK's nations, mr Gove's decisions directly change only what happens in England, but indirectly, they may lead to changes elsewhere if the nations decide to follow suit.

This is what happened to an extent with tuition fees – after the decision was made to raise fees in England up to a maximum of £9,000, universities around the UK changed their fees for students from other parts of the UK.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: "It's down to the Welsh and Northern Irish administrations to decide how to run their education systems – we do what we think best for English students.

"We make no apology for breaking the constant treadmill of exams and retakes throughout students' GCSE courses – school shouldn't be a dreary trudge from one test to the next. Sitting and passing modules has become the be-all and end-all, instead of achieving a real, lasting understanding and love of a subject.

"Students shouldn't be continually cramming to pass the next exam or resitting the same test again and again simply to boost their mark."

It will be the responsibility of the exams regulators of England, Wales and Northern Ireland to make sure GCSEs awarded in each nation are of an equal standard.

Modular advantage?

Jerry Jarvis, the former managing director of the Edexcel exam board, believes students stand to do better under a modular system – although he thinks the differences will be small.

"I would expect students taking modular exams to do better. Being able to take an exam in small chunks should in theory help someone to do better because of the revision," he said.

"It's not going to make a huge difference if you take advantage of the other things that contribute to improvement – for example teaching to the test, direct support that teachers are given."

Mr Jarvis, whose book Cheats, Choices and Dumbing Down was released recently, said: "Wales has its own [exams] authority and Northern Ireland too and as a consequence, inevitably, some variations are going to occur.

"As citizens of this country we move from region to region and in principle I don't think it's a great thing that there are regional differences."

The Welsh government has said schools in Wales can continue to enter pupils for modular exams and that some have already said they will continue to do so.

But it is looking at the issue in a review of qualifications which will report in November.

A spokesman said: "Ministers are committed to not making significant changes to GCSEs until after the outcomes of the Review of 14 to 19 Qualifications are known, unless urgent action is fully justified.

"however, where immediate action is felt necessary, we will take proportionate action."

Any decisions would be based on evidence, he said.

The Welsh exam board WJEC, whose exams are taken by students in England and Wales, is to produce both linear and modular GCSEs.

Last summer, it received about 350,000 exam entries from England.

Students from England will continue to be able to sit WJEC GCSEs – but only linear ones, taken after two years.

The board says it will maintain standards across both types of GCSE and has published guidance for schools.

A spokesman said: "The subject content will be the same for both linear and unitised options, ensuring consistency in the standards of the programmes of learning.

"We award all units on the basis of the standards of achievement expected from learners on completion of the course; the same standards are applied irrespective of when the units are taken."

choice

Brian Lightman, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, says there is no evidence that linear exams are more rigorous than those taken in modules – and that schools in England should be free to choose which exams their pupils take.

"I suspect in Wales that most [head teachers] will carry on doing what they think is right for their students," he said.

"this is an imposed thing in England. We think it should be left as a choice."

Mr Lightman agreed there was a danger that some qualifications might be seen as better than others.

"It's a risk but we would just have to keep an eye on that. It's an opinion that the secretary of state has expressed but there is no evidence that a linear exam would be more rigorous than a modular exam. There are modular degrees after all – and even PhDs.

"The regulator will have to make sure they are similar."

GCSE changes bring UK differences under devolution

Last updated at 12:46 PM on 21st December 2011

England lock Courtney Lawes has signed a new deal with Northampton that will keep him at Franklin’s Gardens until 2015.

Dressed to impress: Courtney Lawes

Lawes, who has 13 England caps, helped Northampton win the European Challenge Cup in 2009 and last year’s LV= Cup after making his debut against Esher four years ago.

Northampton finished runners-up in the Heineken Cup last season and director of rugby Jim Mallinder believes retaining players like Lawes is key to continue competing for major trophies.

‘Securing the signatures of players like Courtney for three years is very important for us as we look to make the next step up as a club,’ Mallinder said.

‘We have been at the right end of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table and playing in the latter stages of cup competitions in the past few years, but we want to be in the mix for the major pieces of silverware every year and to do that we need top players at Franklin’s Gardens.

‘Courtney is still maturing and learning as a player, but he has shown, even at just 22 years of age, that he has all the things you need to succeed.

‘He is still learning and we believe that he will continue to improve over the next few years. We’re certainly delighted that he will be doing so at Franklin’s Gardens.’

Lawes also believes his best rugby still lies ahead and that Northampton is the best place for him to achieve that.

Locked down: Lawes has penned a new deal to stay on at Northampton until 2015

‘It means a lot to sign a new contract with the Saints because I’ve grown up around here,’ Lawes said.

‘It’s good to sign on again and see myself with a future at the club. I enjoy playing here and working with the coaches and want to stay here for as long as I can.

‘I think I’ve improved a lot as a player in recent years, which has all come from playing here and being coached here. the coaches keep us grounded off the field and I’ve still got a lot to learn from them on the field.’

Courtney Lawes signs new Northampton deal until 2015

by Kerry Mcqueeney

Last updated at 2:27 AM on 20th December 2011

A child’s first steps are always special. But this brave little girl gave her parents the best Christmas present they could have hoped for when she walked for the first time since losing both of her legs after battling meningitis.

Four-year-old Grace Matthews, of MIle Cross, Norwich, made her parents weep with joy as she took her first steps using her prosthetic limbs.

Less than a year ago, the youngster had both of her legs removed below the knee after contracting meningitis, as well as all of her fingers, half the thumb on her left hand and half the palm on her right.

Courageous: Less, than a year ago, four-year-old Grace Matthews lost both of her legs below the knee, all of her fingers, half the thumb of her left hand and half the palm of her right hand when she contracted meningitis

However, the little girl became determined to walk again after meeting Matthew Newbury, a Norwich-born man who became the first person in Britain to receive a new bionic leg prosthetic system.

Grace’s 37-year-old mother Vicky said: ‘We are really, really proud of her. She is unbelievable. it is amazing how she gets through everything. it is like to her there is nothing wrong.

‘She is a very inspiring, very stronglittle girl. we get a lot of our strength from her. Grace had to fight for her life after being rushed to hospital with a temperature, sicknessand a rash all over her body less than a year ago.’

Vicky, who is also mother to Grace’s six-year-old brother Thomas, added: ‘Matthew showed Grace how he uses his legs and she asked to put her legs on.

Best Christmas present they could have hoped for: Grace with her mother Vicky, father Brian and six-year-old brother Thomas

‘She took her first few steps that day outside the school while we were waiting for Thomas.

‘We were talking to Brian’s sister Clare about Grace’s legs when Grace said, “let go of me” and took three steps on her own towards her aunt.

‘It was a very emotional moment. Then she came back home and was walking around using the wall as guidance.

‘It was unbelievable how quickly she went from taking three steps to walking around the house.’

She added: ‘I was telling Brian on the phone when she said, “Mum come and have a look at me”, and she walked from the TV to the sofa.

Inspiration: Little Grace was determined to walk again after meeting Matthew Newbury, the first Briton to receive the new bionic prosthetic leg system ‘Genium’

‘She had walked before but she always had someone holding her. I gasped when I saw her and had tears in my eyes.’

Brian, 42, a delivery driver, said: ‘Grace told me to wait near the front door and walked towards me. that feeling was overwhelming – just seeing her standing there and walking was unbelievable. it was lovely.

Grace has been walking a few more steps every day with her new legs, which have been custom-made in her favourite colours of pink and purple, which will make it easier for her to get around school – Mile Cross Primary – and when playing with her pet kitten Vixi.

Vicky added: ‘What has happened really makes you appreciate your time with your family and your loved ones.

‘We have got two big family get-togethers planned this Christmas and we are going to make sure we all have a super-duper Christmas.’

Grace Matthews walks again with prosthetic limbs after losing her legs to meningitis

Last updated at 1:25 PM on 20th December 2011

Military personnel returning from Afghanistan will not lose their leave in order to protect the London 2012 Games, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has pledged.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed last week that 13,500 military personnel, more than the 10,000 that were deployed to Afghanistan, will be part of the 23,700 security force for the Games.

Service: 13,500 military personnel will be part of the 23,700 security force for the Games

Answering questions in the Commons, mr Hammond said: ‘Some of those returning from Afghanistan may at some point be involved in Olympic duties, but no-one will lose their post-operational leave.

‘Post-operational leave has to be scheduled anyway, and it will be scheduled around the requirements of the Olympic task.’

The deployment across all military services includes 3,500, rising to a peak of 7,500, who will provide venue security.

Around 5,000 servicemen and women will support the police and other civil authorities, providing specialist capabilities such as bomb disposal and dog teams.

Another 1,000 will provide logistical support. there will also be a 1,000-strong unarmed contingency force for deployment in the event of an ‘Olympics-related civil emergency’.

The overall 23,700-strong security force will include a mix of military, private security guards and at least 3,000 unpaid London 2012 volunteers who will be used at the start of the security process.

London 2012: Military will not lose annual leave – Philip Hammond

Last updated at 1:19 PM on 20th December 2011

Poor English: Daniel Ubani, who gave a lethal dose of morphine on his first shift

Britain has won the right to test foreign doctors and nurses on their ability to speak English following a landmark ruling from Brussels.

There is mounting concern that patients are being put in danger by a ban that prevents watchdogs from checking the language skills of European doctors and nurses.

This was triggered by the death of 70-year-old David Gray in 2008 at the hands of an incompetent German GP.

Dr Daniel Ubani gave him a lethal overdose of morphine on his first shift. Ubani had been allowed to coveran out of hours shift despite having a poor grasp of English and unacceptable medical standards.

Atpresent neither the General Medical Council, the doctors’ regulator, nor the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the equivalent body for nurses, is allowed to carry out language tests on workers flying in from the continent as it is deemed to infringe the EU’s ‘freedom of movement’ laws.

But proposals from theEuropean Commission yesterday paved the way for such checks to be carried out. for the first time the EC said that the ‘checking of language knowledge’ can be carried out for the ‘protection of patients’.

In addition, EU member states will have a duty to alert other countries when a doctor or nurse is struck off so they cannot simply move abroad and carry on working. The proposals will have to be agreed by all EU members before they are made into law and even then it may take several years for the GMC and the NMC to bring in the tests.

Nonetheless,the ruling has been hailed as a major step forward by leading healthcare workers and the relatives of patients who have died as a result of the current lax regime.

The GP son of Mr Gray, Stuart Gray, said: ‘If the GMC is going to be able to check the language of doctors at registration that is a major step forward for the safety of patients.

But what we push for next is for them all to undergo checks on their clinical competence. My father was killed by a doctor who was found to be clinically incompetent.’

Dr Peter Carter, General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said: ‘The ability to communicate clearly with patients is an essential part of good nursing care.’

Tragedy: Dr Stuart Gray, whose father David Gray was killed by German doctor Daniel Ubani

Andrew Lansley, the Secretary of State for Health, announced new rules earlier this year to ensure hospitals language test EU doctors

Earlier this year Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced new rules that would ensure hospitals had a ‘duty’ to language test EU doctors.

But at the time there was concern that not all trusts would do this – and the rules did not include any provision for nurses.

The current EU legislation bans national tests carried out by the GMC or NMC but it does not prohibit hospitals or primary care trusts performing checks on individuals before employing them.

Under Mr Lansley’s plan, each hospital would employ a ‘responsible officer’ whose job would be to ensure all foreign doctors were tested on English before being allowed to work.

Under these new proposals the GMC and the NMC will be allowed to carry out national tests before doctors and nurses can even be registered. Unless they are registered they cannot even apply for a job.

There are thought to be thousands of European doctors and nurses working in hospitals and surgeries who have never been given language checks.

Figures show that there are some 21,000 doctors on the GMC register who gained their qualifications in EU countries.

Although the Government has urged hospitals and primary care trusts to carry out their own checks on staff before employing them in the absence of a national test, many do not.

Doctors from the EU to face language tests following landmark ruling

Last updated at 8:09 AM on 20th December 2011

A young mother who has tried every form of contraception possible has baffled doctors by falling pregnant six times in five years.

Gemma Potter, 23, has repeatedly conceived despite using condoms, the pill, the coil, progesterone injections and an implant.

She and her husband Glenn, 27, now have three children – Shaun, four, Jessica, three, and Sophie, two – and have suffered two failed pregnancies.

Fertile: Gemma Potter, pictured with her daughters Sophie (left) and Jessica (right), has tried every form of contraception possible but has still fallen pregnant six times in five years

They are now expecting their fourth child, despite only having had sex three times since September, because they were terrified that mrs Potter would fall pregnant again.

She has accused doctors of not taking her seriously and refusing her requests for contraception that works.

Mrs Potter, of Plymouth, Devon, said: ‘It has affected our sex life. I find it really hard to be intimate because I just keep thinking what if I get pregnant?

‘You would think that being pregnant already would make it easier to have sex but I still feel worried.

‘It is a shame really and that is why I am so desperate to try anything to help. I know it is hard on Glenn.’

Mrs Potter was on the pill when she met her husband-to-be in May 2006, but fell pregnant just three months later, giving birth to son Shaun the following March.

She went back on the pill in May 2007,but by August had fallen pregnant with her second child, Jessica, who was born in May 2008.

Four weeks after Jessica was born doctors advised mrs Potter to try the coil, telling her it was the most effective form of contraception. she had it fitted, but was stunned to discover that by November 2008 she was pregnant again, although this time she miscarried at six weeks.

Mrs Potter then tried a contraceptive injection, which was administered every 12 weeks, but then had second daughter Sophie after marrying in 2009.

Finally, after having an implant fitted – thought to be 99 per cent effective – she fell pregnant again, but sadlymiscarried at 11 weeks.

Mrs Potter then returned to the pill and is now ten weekspregnant.

She added: ‘I love my children but I don’t want any more. Unfortunately, termination just isn’t an option for us as it is not something I agree with.

‘I can’t go out with my friends or have a drink because I am constantly pregnant. I have also completely missed out on having a job or any kind of career on my own.

‘I battle with my weight and it can be a real struggle.’

She added: ‘I don’t think either of us knew that over the next few years I would be almost constantly pregnant.

‘Thinking of other people that can’t have children makes me feel awful. Some people can try for years and years and it’s just not meant to be whereas I can’t stop getting pregnant.

‘If I keep having children and it gets to the stage that I can’t afford them any more I would consider surrogacy.’

Mr Potter, who works for Plymouth Community Housing, said: ‘It is always a shock when Gemma tells me she is pregnant but I am happy to look after her and support her.’

I can’t stop getting pregnant! Mother conceives six times in five years despite using every contraceptive precaution

Last updated at 12:37 AM on 21st December 2011

Axed Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has said he would be interested in becoming the next coach of South Korea after being approached by officials from the country’s football association.

Bruce was ousted from his role at the Stadium of Light last month but could be back in work by the new year with the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists.

The former Manchester United defender joins Sven-Goran Eriksson, Guus Hiddink, Senol Gunes, Marco van Basten and former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on the Korea Football Association (KFA) shortlist.

Asian adventure? Bruce has been linked with the vacant South Korea job

However, Bruce’s lack of international management pedigree will count against him landing the role which could earn him up to

Last updated at 11:03 PM on 17th December 2011

All parents will be familiar with the frustration of trying to pacify a  disobedient toddler from time to time.

However, doctors have discovered some children have a condition which means they are unable to cope with any sort of demand.

Little is know about Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA) at present, but experts believe the reported numbers of sufferers is just the tip of the iceberg, in a report by the Times.

Have a naughty toddler? it may not be their fault as they may suffer from PDA

‘There are so many children out there with PDA who are not getting the right help,’ says psychologist Phil Christie, Director of Children’s Services at the Elizabeth Newson Centre, where the condition was first defined.

‘It is severely under-diagnosed. We know that around one in 100 children is on the autistic spectrum, but we don’t know yet how many of them have PDA. it is a small but significant proportion.’

What might be considered plain naughtiness by most parents, children with PDA essentially have an in-built need to be in control and to avoid other people’s demands and expectations, which raises their anxiety levels to an extreme extent.

Putting a child on the naughty step when they misbehave might not help if they are suffering from PDA

Christie’s colleagues noted the striking similarity between a growing number of children deemed to have ‘atypical autism’.

They all shared an unusual resistance to everyday demands, even when related to things they would enjoy.

The children were superficially sociable but were often manipulative and lacked awareness of unwritten social rules. their moods could switch very suddenly and they often confused reality with fantasy.

Some demand avoidance is part of normal development in young children. But PDA is marked by the degree of the behaviour, and whether it continues beyond toddler years.

For most children the demand avoidance phase will pass, or can be greatly improved through strategies such as rewards or sanctions, reasoning, praise for good behaviour, peer pressure and routine.

But these techniques do not work for children with PDA. instead parents need to reduce anxiety by avoiding or disguising demands.

A major conference on PDA, run by the National Autistic Society, was held recently and a book on the condition, written by Christie and other parents of children with PDA, was published this autumn.

Has your child got Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome? New condition ‘makes children unable to cope with ANY demand’

Last updated at 8:58 AM on 19th December 2011

Breakthrough? Scientists have discovered a compound which switches off appetite, without the usual side effects

It is the perfect excuse to have another mince pie. A diet pill that doesn’t make you ill has been developed by scientists.

The drug, which switches off appetite using hormones that are created naturally in the stomach when it is full, is billed as the first to melt away unwanted pounds without causing nasty side effects.

Despite the rising tide of obesity, the difficulty in formulating a safe diet drug means that just one prescription-strength diet pill, Xenical, is on sale in the UK.

It prevents the absorption of fats in the body but comes with unpleasant side-effects, such as upset stomach, while two other ‘wonder drugs’ have recently been withdrawn over fears they damaged the heart and caused serious psychiatric problems.

In contrast, the new drug, OAP-189, is seen as a simpler and safer option.

Its inventor, Professor Stephen Bloom, a world-leading expert in obesity based at Imperial College London, says it works by mimicking a gut hormone, oxyntomodulin, that the body makes when it has had enough to eat.

Levels of this hormone also rise in people who have had gastric bypass operations, in which the stomach is made smaller and the digestive tract replumbed.

The surgery is effective but not without risk, and so Professor Bloom looked for a way of mirroring its weight-loss benefits without an operation.

He said: ‘I think we could mimic the dramatic weight loss achieved with stomach bypass surgery by giving people gut hormone-derived therapies. if you could take away hunger, food is not attractive.’ 

He started by giving three jabs of the  hormone daily to overweight and obese volunteers and they lost an average of 5lb in four weeks. He then reformulated it into OAP-189, which can be given daily or weekly.

It has been bought by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and is now in the early stages of human trials.

Appetite suppressant: But drugs like Alli can also cause side effects such as diarrhoea and even incontinence

Side-effects are predicted to be limited to bouts of nausea, but OAP-189 will have to go through extensive human testing before it reaches the market, which is expected to take between five and seven years.

Initially it is likely to be prescription-only and aimed at diabetics. However, in time, it could be sold in chemists.

Xenical, the only prescription diet drug on the market, has been available over the counter in a half-strength form, known as Alli, since 2009.

Weight loss wonder pill that doesn’t make you sick could be on sale within three years

Last updated at 1:03 AM on 20th December 2011

New Fed Cup captain Judy Murray believes great Britain have a good chance of making it into the World Group next year.

Murray will lead the team for the first time in Israel in February, when Britain will be among 15 sides from Europe/Africa Zone Group I bidding for one of the two places available in World Group II.

On the move: Murray believes great Britain have a good chance of making it into the World Group

It is one of the strongest British teams in many years, with stalwarts Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong both playing some of the best tennis of their careers, while teenagers Heather Watson and Laura Robson have made rapid progress.

Murray said: ‘It is very difficult because there’s 15 teams in the group and only two will go through. you have to win three matches to get out of your group, and then you need to win another one in the play-off, and there are some very strong teams in there.

‘On rankings at the moment GB are the fifth highest-ranked team. I think the team to avoid would be Poland, who have a top-10 player in Agnieszka Radwanska and a specialist doubles team, but I think anybody else who’s out there, if our girls are playing well and we have a favourable draw, then I really think anything’s possible.’

Under the spotlight: Murray and Leon Smith answer questions from the press

Murray’s appointment was announced earlier this month, with the former Scotland national coach linking up again with the Lawn Tennis Association’s head of women’s tennis, Leon Smith.

The pair worked together in Scotland for a number of years, with Smith taking over coaching Murray’s younger son Andy when the now world NO 4 was 11.

as well as captaining the Fed Cup team, Murray will also work with Britain’s leading junior girls and is passionate about helping boost the number of female coaches in the game.

she said: ‘Leon contacted me a few weeks ago to say he was taking over the women’s side and asked if I would be interested in a role, in particular with the Fed Cup, which of course for me would be a massive honour to be able to lead out your country. I was getting to the stage where I was ready for a new challenge.

Flying the flag: Murray said Smith was influential in her appointment

‘I had to think about it a bit because it’s a question of freeing up enough time to be able to do it well. you would never want to take on something like this and then find you didn’t have the time to devote to it. Anything I take on is to put my heart and soul into it and really try to make it work.

‘I’m really excited to get started. I love coaching. it doesn’t matter whether it’s eight-year-old beginners or whether it’s working on the court with Jamie or Andy. It’s just that whole thing of teaching.’

Of her wide-ranging position, Murray added: ‘The Fed Cup in the zone we’re in at the moment is just one week of the year.

‘For me, the wider role of trying to help develop a female coaching workforce on the performance side and to help the junior players, and to try to influence perhaps a better or more successful pathway from under-12 all the way through to the tour, is something I think I’ve got quite a lot of experience in and would love to be able to pass that on.’

Murray is a regular courtside supporter of both Andy and older son Jamie, a specialist on the doubles tour, and she joked that they would be pleased she now had other responsibilities.

‘I think they were delighted I wasn’t going to be around to cramp their style quite so much,’ she said.

‘But yes, they were delighted for me.

‘We have all of us always enjoyed team competitions. the boys have played in British teams and Scottish teams since they were 10 or 11 and they love the fun that comes with being part of a team.

‘I’ve captained and managed a lot of junior teams mostly over the years and really enjoy that whole camaraderie and working together.’

Murray’s in a hurry as Fed Cup captain targets promotion to World Group