Diplomas set to replace A-levels as 'jewel in the crown' of exams system
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The end of A-levels was signalled by the Government yesterday as it announced plans to offer three new diplomas in secondary schools from 2011.
In a dramatic policy shift, the Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, said that diplomas in science, languages and the humanities would be offered from 2011 onwards, in addition to the 14 vocational diplomas already planned. He said a final decision on the future of A-levels would be made in 2013.
He predicted that the diplomas could become "the qualification of choice " and "the jewel in the crown of the education system" over the next decade if they are "successfully introduced and are delivering the mix that employers and universities value".
But the Secretary of State has delayed a review planned for next year which was expected to recommend that A-levels be withdrawn completely and replaced with a diploma system modelled on the International Baccalaureate.
The two sets of exams will now run side by side for at least five years, despite warnings from Mr Balls' predecessor that this could cause the reforms to go "horribly wrong". Alan Johnson, the former education secretary, warned in March that concurrent systems could result in diplomas being seen as inferior qualifications, "becoming, if you like, the secondary modern compared to the grammar".
The move was given a cautious welcome by universities. Dr Wendy Piatt, of the Russell Group, which represents the top 20 higher education research institutions in Britain, said it was concerned about the number of pupils studying science A-levels.
"We particularly welcome the introduction of a science diploma as we are still concerned about the low proportion of students – largely from state schools – taking science A-levels."
But Michael Gove, the shadow Schools Secretary, criticised the move. " Diplomas were supposed to be about improving vocational education not undermining academic excellence," he said.
Steve Sinnott, the general-secretary of the National Union of Teachers, urged ministers to go further, arguing that waiting until 2013 would still put them at a major disadvantage with higher education institutions. " Diplomas were supposed to be about improving vocational education not undermining academic excellence."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments