Menu
03/04/2012
Education Secretary Calls For A-Level Changes
The UK's Education Secretary has said that current A-Level exams fail to prepare students for university life and has called for the examinations to be reviewed.
Michael Gove said, in a letter to an exam regulator, that universities should dictate the content of A-level papers and review them each year.
Mr Gove's letter, obtained by BBC Newsnight suggests formal control of A-level content would be taken away from exam boards and handed to universities.
It is understood that any changes would apply to English board exams but would obviously affect students in Northern Ireland and Wales, who also sit the exams.
This comes as a recent study suggested universities wanted A-levels to be more intellectually stretching and with less spoon-feeding from teachers.
(LB/GK)
Michael Gove said, in a letter to an exam regulator, that universities should dictate the content of A-level papers and review them each year.
Mr Gove's letter, obtained by BBC Newsnight suggests formal control of A-level content would be taken away from exam boards and handed to universities.
It is understood that any changes would apply to English board exams but would obviously affect students in Northern Ireland and Wales, who also sit the exams.
This comes as a recent study suggested universities wanted A-levels to be more intellectually stretching and with less spoon-feeding from teachers.
(LB/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 June 2010
Ofqual 'Rejects' New Science GCSEs
Exam boards have "not gone far enough" to redraft new science GCSEs after Ofqual said they are still not hard enough. Ofqual has sent the new-look science exams back to the awarding organisations for more work to bring them up to the required standards.
Ofqual 'Rejects' New Science GCSEs
Exam boards have "not gone far enough" to redraft new science GCSEs after Ofqual said they are still not hard enough. Ofqual has sent the new-look science exams back to the awarding organisations for more work to bring them up to the required standards.
11 September 2008
Academic Standards Put At Risk By 'Meddling'
The vice-chancellor of Cambridge has said academic standards were being put at risk by "meddling", saying that universities existed to educate and lead research, not promote social justice.
Academic Standards Put At Risk By 'Meddling'
The vice-chancellor of Cambridge has said academic standards were being put at risk by "meddling", saying that universities existed to educate and lead research, not promote social justice.
28 February 2012
Report Calls For Universities To Be At Heart Of Economy
A report published today calls for universities to be at the heart of the economy to promote growth in the UK and improve the employability of our graduates.
Report Calls For Universities To Be At Heart Of Economy
A report published today calls for universities to be at the heart of the economy to promote growth in the UK and improve the employability of our graduates.
10 February 2011
New Guidelines Support Higher Education For All
Universities wanting to charge over £6,000 for their courses from 2012 will have to work much harder to recruit students from disadvantaged backgrounds under new guidelines published today.
New Guidelines Support Higher Education For All
Universities wanting to charge over £6,000 for their courses from 2012 will have to work much harder to recruit students from disadvantaged backgrounds under new guidelines published today.
23 January 2013
Changes To A-Level Exam System Confirmed
A-level examinations will now take place at the end of a two-year course, the Education Secretary has confirmed. Michael Gove confirmed that from 2015 so called “bite sized” units would be scrapped with pupils instead sitting final exams at the end of two-years.
Changes To A-Level Exam System Confirmed
A-level examinations will now take place at the end of a two-year course, the Education Secretary has confirmed. Michael Gove confirmed that from 2015 so called “bite sized” units would be scrapped with pupils instead sitting final exams at the end of two-years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
