Tomlinson launches exam review
Former chief schools inspector Mike Tomlinson today unveiled a root-and-branch shake-up of the exam system in England and Wales, as he published a government review of secondary education for 14 to 19-year-olds.
The interim report – released at a news conference in London – called for GCSEs and A-levels to be jettisoned and replaced with a four-tier diploma.
Core skills such as IT, communications, “functional” English and mathematics are likely to be included.
As a counterbalance, Mr Tomlinson argued that there ought to be far fewer vocational qualifications.
He also recommended that the controversial and unpopular AS exam, introduced just four years ago, should be phased out.
Mr Tomlinson wants to pave the way for Britain’s brightest students to take exams when they are intellectually ready rather than at pre-established ages and dates.
He is also set to promote a new “supergrade” for the brightest A-level students. The differential between A-level top grades A and B is too wide, he will say, and ought to be replaced by A1, A2, B1 and B2.
Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said there was much to commend in the proposals but also much that was good in the existing examination system.
“The NUT believes that changes must be properly funded, agreed with the profession and glitches identified through piloting,” he said.
“The proposed diploma must not be rushed but brought in over a period to avoid the disruption that wholesale change could cause and which occurred when the GCSE was introduced.”
Mr Tomlinson’s final report is expected in July.
