A-level plans 'may collapse system'

Jan 23 2013

Critics of Education Secretary Michael Gove's plans to bring back traditional two-year A-levels with end-of-course exams have warned the reforms could "lead to a collapse of the system".

Under a major overhaul, AS-levels will be separated from A-levels to become a separate qualification and teenagers taking A-levels will no longer sit exams after one year, and will instead be tested at the end of their two-year course.

The new A-levels will be taught from September 2015, which is the same time as GCSEs are set to be replaced with new English Baccalaureate Certificates (EBCs).

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "2015 looks set to be the year when everything changes in schools and for young people with both GCSEs and A-levels being replaced or altered. This is an unmanageable level of change which could lead to a collapse of the system."

The proposals were laid out in a letter from Mr Gove to the exams regulator Ofqual. In it, the Education Secretary says he has concluded that there is a "compelling case" for a move to A-levels with final exams.

But shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Mr Gove was "turning the clock back" and the plan would narrow young people's options.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) also sounded a note of warning, describing the plans as "a classic case of fixing something that isn't broken".

He said: "The argument that A-levels are not preparing students adequately for university is contradicted by the fact that one in six achieve first class honours - a three fold increase over the last 13 years.

"The issue of resits has already been addressed. If there is a need to add more rigorous material for the highest achievers this is perfectly manageable without wholesale change to the examination. School and college leaders will fully support change where it is genuinely needed."

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers & Lecturers (ATL), claimed only a "very elite group of students" would benefit from having their future determined by one set of exams.