GCSEs are set to be axed in favour of a tougher English Baccalaureate Certificate in a radical shake up of the education system which will see retaking modules scrapped, coursework cut back and pupils sitting more rigorous end-of-year exams.

The Government also plans to stop exam boards competing to deliver qualifications in the same subject which Michael Gove claimed has led to a “race to the bottom”.

The Education Secretary told MPs yesterday the system saw exam boards competing to offer easier courses and help to teachers in a “corrupt effort to massage up pass rates”. Instead only one exam board will be allowed to offer the English Baccalaureate Certificate in each subject.

If the reforms are approved, schools will start teaching the new qualification in English, maths and sciences in 2015 with the first exams being set in 2017. Pupils who started secondary school this month would be the first to sit them.