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Tomlinson backs exams overhaul
Former chief inspector of schools Mike Tomlinson has recommended the largest overhaul of secondary education for half a century.
Releasing his interim report of 14-19 education on Tuesday, he called for the present system of GCSEs and A Levels to be scrapped in favour of a four-tier diploma.
Students would be able to take their exams at a time when they were academically ready to, rather than at a given age, while particularly gifted students could take the advanced exams, equivalent to the A Level, at age 16.
In addition, the number of A Level grades will increase to a seven-point scale, while the GCSE A* to G grade scale would be split in two.
Tomlinson wants grades to show varying performance in the foundation and intermediate levels of the diploma, the core of which would require pupils to do an "extended project or personal challenge" pegged to particular levels of difficulty.
All those taking the diploma would have to study maths, "communication" and information and communication technology as core compulsory subjects.
Key skills
Tomlinson said the focus on key skills was essential to ensuring no child leaves school without basic abilities.
"The time for reform has come. Too many young people leave learning or fail to progress," he said.
"Too many are left unchallenged and constrained by the curriculum they are offered and young people and their teachers are burdened by inflexible assessment.
"The interim report sets out the proposals for a new structure that will move 14-19 learning on from a system that works well for some, to one that will meet the learning needs of all."
Other recommendations included greater emphasis on practical skills; ministers have already signalled they want less academically-focused pupils to be given the option of apprenticeships from the age of 14.
He also called for the controversial AS Level test, introduced in 2000, to be scrapped as early as next year.
However, his proposals form an interim report - his final blueprint for secondary education reform is not expected until July.
Miliband welcome
The Department for Education and Skills had set four key tests for any proposed reform package: whether it stretches the brightest students; improves the provision of vocational education; reduces the burden of assessment for teachers and pupils alike; and whether or not it would reduce the high drop-out rate in the UK.
School standards minister David Miliband praised the Tomlinson working group's approach to these issues.
"The interim report is ambitious in scope, exciting in its potential and practical in its focus. It builds on the strengths of the English system and offers the chance to tackle the weaknesses," he said.
"I would now like to see the working group engage in extensive and constructive debate around these issues, to help them prepare for their final report.
"At the same time I am committed to listening to views from employers, universities, schools, pupils and parents. It is essential that they are all involved.
"The government will not decide what changes or reforms should be made until after it has considered the final report due later this year."
Unions cautious
However teaching unions have met the proposals with caution.
The NASUWT said the "devil was in the detail".
"There is much to commend in the report," said general secretary Eamonn O'Kane.
"Teachers will undoubtedly welcome the proposal to introduce any changes over a 10-year period. They are weary from years of continual revolution.
"One of the most significant developments is the proposal to end the terminal GCSE examination. This would be the end of an era and although consistent with the aims of the proposals it is likely to provoke extensive debate.
"However, the assessment arrangements and proposals for supplementary learning remain ill defined.
"The devil is always in the detail. This will determine whether the system will be workable and if due attention has been paid to ensuring the workload burdens on teachers are not increased."
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