A- and AS-levels in creative writing, music technology, and health and social care, along with a GCSE in geology, are being spared from Ofqual’s qualifications bonfire, the watchdog announced today.

But the regulator has said that it will be axing international development A- and AS-levels, along with GCSEs in environmental and land-based science, health and social care and home economics: child development.

The decisions come as part of Ofqual’s ongoing process of rationalising qualifications in preparation for the introduction of reformed GCSEs and A-levels.

The watchdog says that to continue, qualifications must meet certain principles, including whether they can “secure valid assessment” , and have content “sufficiently distinct” from other subjects.

The subjects announced today had initially been rejected by Ofqual for not meeting its rules. The latest decisions were made after the exam boards submitted further information.