TEACHERS in Bolton believe coursework should not be scrapped for some GCSE subjects.

They say a reduction in the reliance on coursework may help to cut cheating but it ruins other skills.

Examination chiefs are keen to stamp out cheating in schools and the Qualification and Curriculum Authority says traditional coursework will be axed in English literature, foreign languages, history and geography.

Instead, there will be more external exams and controlled assessments carried out under exam conditions by 2009.

It follows a Government announcement that coursework would be cut from GSCE maths.

Harper Green School assistant headteacher Sara Cain said: "Coursework encourages independent study but we will continue encourage pupils as much as possible to carrying on doing this."

Meryvn Brooker, head of Bolton School Boys' Division, which scrapped GCSE maths and replaced it with the international, coursework-less GCSE a year ago, said: "I have had very strong reservations for some time the way coursework is going, mainly because of plagiarism and moderation.

"The original concept was good and some excellent work has been produced. But of the two subjects, maths and history, I would have preferred coursework to be removed from maths."

Bolton School Girls' Division headteacher Gill Richards: "With maths coursework, I am delighted to see it gone it bears little relation to the exam paper and we have found it does not reflect the skills and ability particularly for the most able pupils.

"In history, I am very sorry to see coursework go because it develops research skills they need for A-level."