Edexcel chief, John Kerr, has urged the government to restore confidence in A Levels - perhaps ditching the name to make the public recognise change to education's "gold standard".

"The government also needs to say what the qualification system is for and set out a vision for 14-19 education. Are A Levels intended to prepare students for university or are they a record of achievement at school?" asked the exam board chief.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, deputy general secretary for ATL, told ePolitix.com: "Like all forms of national assessment A Levels serve a multiplicity of purposes: selection for the next stage, evidence of school and college accountability and a record of achievement for individual students.

"What matters now is that everyone becomes clearer about the A2 standard since that is really where there was confusion in the first year of the new system."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

A spokesperson for the NUT told ePolitix.com: "If there was to be a reform of A Levels, the NUT has long argued that a home grown baccalaureate was worth considering. However, it shouldn't be done on the back of events this year. We need proper research and piloting on any changes to take place".

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Alison Johnston, senior professional officer for the PAT, told ePolitix.com: "The government must indeed act to restore confidence in the A Level system. Part of that exercise could well involve stating the purpose of A Levels and setting out a vision for 14-19 education.

"However, simply changing the name would not be helpful and could well be counter-productive. Students, parents, teachers and employers are all familiar with the name 'A Level' and what it represents."The debate on the future of post-16 qualifications must be considered and measured and pursue all the options. Schools, students and parents do not need knee-jerk reactions, and the new education secretary must resist pressures for quick-fix measures to scrap the current system in favour of something else."PAT looks forward to participating in any debate on the future of education for our 14-19 year olds. We will follow with interest the pilot study in Wales which is looking at a baccalaureate approach."