Former chief inspector of schools Mike Tomlinson has published his report into the future of England's exam system.

The long-awaited findings recommended a four-tier diploma to replace GCSEs and A Levels.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, joint acting general secretary of ATL, said: "This is a really encouraging development, skilfully building on what has gone before but full of hope that previously ignored groups will have the chance of a worthwhile qualification.

"We are in favour of the diploma idea. The credit given to learners at entry and foundation levels is long overdue. It is reassuring that the post-16 phase will retain the advances of Curriculum 2000 but deal with some of its difficulties too.

"At last the Tomlinson Task Force has found a way to accredit those really important extra curricular enrichment activities that our research, Work, Work, Work (2002 and 2003) showed were in real danger of disappearing as students undertook excessive amounts of paid employment to prepare to pay their way through higher education.

"The trouble with the present GCSE and A Level arrangements is that the hunt for top grades can result in factory production line teaching. Parents with children now in primary school can look forward to an A Level equivalent that is genuinely intellectually demanding: sharpening up not dumping down.

"We are delighted by the realism of the suggested timescale. Mike Tomlinson's experience shows in his insistence on a gradual and staged introduction of the new structures.

"And there is time for the politicians to work out an equally impressive plan for how they are going to ensure there will be sufficient money to pay for enough teachers and to train them to cope with new challenges. No one knows whether the government will prove equal to the task."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the NUT, said: "Examination reform is a high risk business. It can go badly wrong as the past has shown. The fact remains that young people face a battery of examinations and tests. That must be reformed.

"The principles Mike Tomlinson has outlined are positive but the last thing young people and teachers need is imposed, under-financed and rushed change. Mike Tomlinson is capable of achieving consensus on his proposals if he has the financial backing of government and the understanding that you cannot have instant change.

"The government must learn from history. The debacle which ensued when the previous government introduced the new GCSE exam must not be repeated. Pilots must be used to inform change. A wholesale move to a new exam must not be imposed before even the books and technology are available to meet the new specifications."There are six principles which must be adhered to. There must be: agreement with the teaching profession that the new qualification is the right one; proper, thorough piloting so that glitches can be ironed out; appropriate funding; proper training in the new exam for teachers; existing syllabuses must not be discarded wholesale; there may be whole tranches which would require no adaptation for a new exam; and a minimum 10 year lead in period for any new qualification."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of PAT, said: "We welcome the new diploma in principle. It seems to offer more flexibility, less prescription, greater recognition of vocational subjects and increased professional freedom for schools and teachers to be able to teach according to their pupils' needs and abilities.

"PAT has long advocated a broader, more flexible curriculum that can develop the skills and meet the needs of all students.

"We would also like to see fewer exams, as students are currently over-tested and hopefully this diploma will mean less testing and more learning.

"It is important for both pupils and employers that there is a clear parity between 'academic' and 'vocational' qualifications. Too many pupils are written off, or see themselves as written off, as failures because the system recognises one form of success only. It appears that the new diploma aims to address this.

"This is a fundamental reform that should benefit students, teachers and employers. If the Department for Education and Skills can implement the new system with the necessary training and funding and information for schools, employers and parents, then the Diploma should succeed.

"However, these changes mustn't be rushed in like so many government reforms, but introduced carefully with due consultation with all parties involved. All the partners in education need to be able to learn from the mistakes of the past and improve the system for the future."The post-14 phase of education is a challenging area and we hope that the proposed changes will motivate and inspire students to learn by offering them a broad and balanced curriculum that reflects their changing needs and aspirations."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Ruth Lea, head of the policy unit at the Institute of Directors, said: "Whilst recognising there are problems with 14 to 19 education qualifications and the huge drop-out rates, we have reservations about the initial report of the Working Group on 14 to 19 reform.

"It is not currently clear how the proposals will settle down and be implemented, but we are concerned that the outcome could be overcomplicated and confusing.

"Employers have been faced with far too many changes in the education system over the past 20 years and we would warn against any major upheaval.

"We look forward to being fully involved in the consultation procedures."