Implications of proposed UCAS change 'highly significant'

31 October 2011

UCAS has today published a consultation document on establishing a system where candidates can apply to higher education after they have been given their A-level results.

Commenting on the publication of the Admissions Process Review consultation, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union said:

“The main outcome of the proposals published by UCAS would be that schools and colleges would have at least two weeks less teaching time available prior to the examinations.

“This would put school and college staff and young people themselves under increased pressure to make up the time, during a period when preparation for exams is already intense and stressful.

“The workload implications for already massively overburdened teachers would be highly significant.

“If such changes are to be considered seriously, it is unacceptable for UCAS to focus only on proposals which require schools and colleges to make changes and to dismiss out of hand any idea of university term dates changing to accommodate its proposals.

“Essentially, schools and colleges are being asked to change, to make life for HEIs more convenient and less expensive.

“Thousands of schools and colleges would face the upheaval of changing their arrangements, while a handful of HEIs would remain untouched. This is a classic case of 'tail wagging dog'.

“No one would argue that the current system of clearing isn't a difficult and anxious time for students and that there would be some benefit to removing the need for predicted grades.

“However, the dismissal in the consultation document of proposals that require any change for HEIs comes across as self-serving to say the least.

“If this issue is to be considered seriously then the implications of change for all institutions involved must be on the table for discussion.”

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