GCSE exams in England are set for their biggest shake-up in a decade, according to Ofqual.

The regulator has confirmed the reforms it will be making to the exams and headline changes mean most subject assessments will no longer include coursework, while results will be given as numbers rather than the traditional letter grading system.

People in secondary teaching jobs will have a few years to get to grip with the alterations as they will not come into effect until 2017 when English and maths will be the first subjects affected.

However, the two-year structure of GCSEs means pupils will begin studying the new courses in English language, English literature and maths from the start of the 2015 academic year.

In total, around 20 other popular GCSE subjects will be reformed in a similar manner around 12 months later, with the first classes sitting these exams in 2018.

When grades are finally awarded, pupils will be given a result from one (lowest) to nine (highest), although students who fail will still receive the U grade for unclassified.

As well as the eradication of coursework, modular exams will also be abolished, meaning all tests will be taken together two years after pupils begin learning the syllabus - much in the same format as O-levels, which predate GCSEs.  

Other changes will see more weight given to spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Glenys Stacey, the head of Ofqual, said the changes were "fundamental".

She added: "This is the biggest change in a generation. [GCSEs] have been around for over 25 years but now we are seeing fresh content, a different structure, high-quality assessment coming in.

"It's a significant change for students and for schools."

As somebody looking for a secondary teaching job, how do you feel about such sweeping changes? Will it be easy to adapt to? Were the reforms needed or are they more evidence of government tinkering?

Tell us your views.