The pilot GCSE in construction was scrapped last week after political pressure in favour of diplomas, said a senior education source.

The source said most assessment centres were unhappy with the decision, while schools this week hit out at the move.

James Dunning, a teacher in construction at Trinity School, Nottingham, said it was a 鈥渇antastic GCSE鈥�. As a result, he said he was now considering a return to construction.

Edexcel, the awarding body for the GCSE, said it would 鈥渃oncentrate resources鈥� on developing the Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment to complement its BTEC qualifications.

Postscript

Read 鈥楪overnment to spend 拢1bn on apprenticeships鈥� at