15/08/2006
Call for A-Levels to scrapped
A-Levels should be phased out and a 'British Baccalaureate' with a menu of academic and vocational elements should be introduced instead, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.
The IPPR said that the publication of A-Level results this week would focus attention on those who are doing well out of the UK's post-compulsory education. However, the think-tank said that one in four 16-18-year-olds in the UK are not doing any form of education or training.
The IPPR argued that curriculum reform is the best way to increase the post-16 staying-on rate. The last major boost in the staying on rate, the think-tank said, was caused largely by the abolition of O-Levels and the adoption of GCSEs in the mid-Nineties.
The IPPR recommended that A-Levels should be phased out after a review in 2008, arguing that this would build on "innovations in curriculum provision" that had taken place at local level in recent years.
Richard Brooks, IPPR Associate Director, said: "Practically all young people in the UK should now be in education or training until they are 18 or 19 years old. Yet not only are too many still missing out, but current policies don't seem to be increasing the numbers of those who stay on in learning until the end of their teenage years. The new 14 - 19 diplomas will not flourish alongside an un-reformed system of A-Levels and it is time for a more radical approach."
The IPPR also recommended closing the funding gap between schools and colleges for young people, following the Learning and Skills Development Agency guidelines, as well as ending the presumption in favour of creating new school sixth forms unless they are able to offer a wide enough range of options for those in the lower half of the attainment range.
(KMcA)
The IPPR said that the publication of A-Level results this week would focus attention on those who are doing well out of the UK's post-compulsory education. However, the think-tank said that one in four 16-18-year-olds in the UK are not doing any form of education or training.
The IPPR argued that curriculum reform is the best way to increase the post-16 staying-on rate. The last major boost in the staying on rate, the think-tank said, was caused largely by the abolition of O-Levels and the adoption of GCSEs in the mid-Nineties.
The IPPR recommended that A-Levels should be phased out after a review in 2008, arguing that this would build on "innovations in curriculum provision" that had taken place at local level in recent years.
Richard Brooks, IPPR Associate Director, said: "Practically all young people in the UK should now be in education or training until they are 18 or 19 years old. Yet not only are too many still missing out, but current policies don't seem to be increasing the numbers of those who stay on in learning until the end of their teenage years. The new 14 - 19 diplomas will not flourish alongside an un-reformed system of A-Levels and it is time for a more radical approach."
The IPPR also recommended closing the funding gap between schools and colleges for young people, following the Learning and Skills Development Agency guidelines, as well as ending the presumption in favour of creating new school sixth forms unless they are able to offer a wide enough range of options for those in the lower half of the attainment range.
(KMcA)
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16 July 2003
Report suggests A-levels could end within ten years
A new report has suggested that A-levels and GCSEs could be replaced within ten years by a new Continental-style diploma, which would represent the biggest reform of the English exam system in half a century.
Report suggests A-levels could end within ten years
A new report has suggested that A-levels and GCSEs could be replaced within ten years by a new Continental-style diploma, which would represent the biggest reform of the English exam system in half a century.
18 August 2011
UK Students Get News Of A-Levels
A-Level students across the UK have been congratulated for their efforts. Commenting on today's results, the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts said: "Congratulations to all those receiving their A-Level results today after many years of hard work.
UK Students Get News Of A-Levels
A-Level students across the UK have been congratulated for their efforts. Commenting on today's results, the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts said: "Congratulations to all those receiving their A-Level results today after many years of hard work.
03 September 2014
Free Childcare Announced For Two-Year-Olds
Two-year-olds are to receive 15 hours free childcare every week, under new plans announced by the Liberal Democrats. Currently all three and four-year-olds and two-year-olds from the most hard-pressed homes are eligible for 15 hours free childcare each week. Liberal Democrats want all children to have the opportunity to get the best start in life.
Free Childcare Announced For Two-Year-Olds
Two-year-olds are to receive 15 hours free childcare every week, under new plans announced by the Liberal Democrats. Currently all three and four-year-olds and two-year-olds from the most hard-pressed homes are eligible for 15 hours free childcare each week. Liberal Democrats want all children to have the opportunity to get the best start in life.
03 June 2005
Government announces review of primary reading lessons
Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced an independent review of teaching reading in primary schools. The review will examine the role of synthetic phonics in reading lessons and look at the support for children with reading difficulties, the Education Secretary said.
Government announces review of primary reading lessons
Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced an independent review of teaching reading in primary schools. The review will examine the role of synthetic phonics in reading lessons and look at the support for children with reading difficulties, the Education Secretary said.
14 November 2003
Open University triples young student numbers
The Open University is attracting three times the number of young students than it did seven years ago, it has been revealed today. The opportunity for “earning while learning” was a key contributing factor to the increasing numbers of younger students enrolling in the Open University, their research said.
Open University triples young student numbers
The Open University is attracting three times the number of young students than it did seven years ago, it has been revealed today. The opportunity for “earning while learning” was a key contributing factor to the increasing numbers of younger students enrolling in the Open University, their research said.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
