Individuals in teaching jobs are asking the government to be given the right to teach international qualifications (IGCSE).

The calls are coming from the Independent Academies Association (IAA), which believes that where there is a demand for the qualification, it should be offered to pupils.

Currently the government will not fund secondary schools teaching the qualification as exam regulator Ofqual does not approve of it.

Any academy wanting to offer the International Baccalaureate must go through a lengthy process proving that it would raise standards, before asking the secretary of state for permission to change its contractual arrangements.

Speaking at the IAA annual conference, chairman Mike Butler explained that an increasing demand from academies to offer the qualifications has led to the calls being made.

He said: "The general point we are making is academies should have the freedom and autonomy to determine the most appropriate curriculum for their cohort of students."

According to a report by independent education insurance company SFS Group, general secretary for the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference Geoff Lucas believes IGCSEs can be more challenging for students.

Capita Education Services, leaders in teacher recruitment and education jobs.