26 October 2007
Three new 'academic' diplomas are to be added to the menu of vocational diplomas in what could herald a radical shake-up of the exam system.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls this week announced that diplomas in science, languages and humanities are to be rolled out in an attempt to make diplomas the 'qualification of choice' for pupils.
But he added that GSCEs and A-levels would remain in place. 'Because GCSEs and A-levels are long-established and valued qualifications, that should not be decided by any pre-emptive government decision, but by the demands of young people, schools and colleges,' Balls said on October 23.
A review of A-levels, planned for 2008, has been postponed and will be replaced by a general review of 14–19 qualifications to take place in 2013.
Balls said the government had been urged to use the 2008 review as an opportunity to finally abolish the A-level, in which faith has been waning.
'But this is not the government's view and not a matter for us to pre-judge,' he said, adding that time was needed to evaluate both the success of diplomas and reforms to the GCSE and A-level.
Fourteen vocational diplomas are to be introduced in schools and colleges over the next three years. Each is focused on a specific industry sector such as construction, engineering and health. The first five will be offered from September 2008.
The three new diplomas take a more subject-based approach and will teach core functional skills in English, maths and information technology as well as in-depth knowledge of the subject area and associated practical skills.
PFoct2007
