04 April 2008
Government plans to streamline qualifications for 14 to 19-year-olds do not go far enough, teachers' leaders said this week.
A consultation on the Department for Children, Schools and Families' qualifications strategy proposes crystallising the existing array of qualifications into four main streams: GCSEs and A-levels; apprenticeships; diplomas; and a foundation learning tier of courses that will provide an access route into higher qualifications.
Launching the consultation on March 31, Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: 'The current qualification system is still too complex it is often difficult for young people and their advisers to understand which will best meet their needs and support their aspirations.
'Not every qualification option has clear progression routes to further study or to skilled employment.'
But the National Union of Teachers called on Balls to bring GCSEs, A-levels and diplomas together into a single qualification. This was proposed by former Ofsted chief Sir Mike Tomlinson in his review of 1419 education but rejected by ministers.
NUT general secretary Steve Sinnott said: 'There is every argument for bringing vocational qualifications into the diploma structure. I urge the secretary of state to also incorporate the current GCSEs and A-levels under the diploma umbrella.'
Association of School and College Leaders general secretary John Dunford agreed, saying that GCSEs and A-levels should be brought within the diploma framework by 2013.
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