New diplomas to 'suffer in the shadow of A-levels'

Monday, 12 November 2007 12:00 AM

The government has been criticised for its decision to put back the review of A-Levels and press on with its plans to roll-out the new diplomas.

The Nuffield Review, which is part of Oxford University's education department, today says the government "has to be clearer about whether A-Levels and GCSEs are to be included in the diploma framework or whether they will be run parallel to it."

It adds: "if all 14 to 19-year-olds can benefit from broader programmes of study, this decision cannot be delayed until 2013, because all diplomas will suffer in the shadow of A-Levels".

Last month, schools minister Ed Balls announced plans to shelve the review of A-Levels until 2013.

Mr Balls explained: "We need to have time to consider the success of our diplomas, and assess how far the changes we have already made to A-Levels and GCSEs have strengthened these qualifications."

However, the co-authors of today's report from the Institute of Education argue moving the A-Levels review will have a negative impact on the progress of the new diplomas.

Dr Ken Spours from the Institute of Education said: "The diplomas by themselves, even with the new academic lines announced by Ed Balls, will not transform the 14 to 19 system.

"As long as A-Levels remain unreformed, diplomas will end up being regarded as a poor relation."

Co-author Dr Ann Hodgson added: "While the first lines of diplomas may prove valuable for broadening learning opportunities at Key Stage 4, their effects post-16 are less obvious because there are already tried and tested alternatives available."

The report is more positive about how popular diplomas are set to become, saying many schools and colleges were welcoming the new qualifications.

Professor Richard Pring, of the University of Oxford's Department of Education, said: "The Review sees the positive benefits in seeking to engage young people in applied learning which is relevant to particular kinds of employment . . . There is no doubt enthusiasm from many schools and colleges for the opportunity that diplomas may provide for a more flexible approach to the curriculum."

The Conservatives said the government had made a "huge mistake" by making diplomas an alternative to, rather than part of, GCSEs and A-Levels.

Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb argued: "The original purpose of vocational diplomas was to be a high quality alternative to an academic qualification but by changing them to cover the same subject areas as GCSEs and A-levels the government is effectively creating a two tier system."

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