14 19 Education And Skills

This White Paper details the Government's 10-year reform programme for secondary and post-secondary education for 14-19 year olds, and sets out its response to the recommendations of the Tomlinson report (Working Group on 14-19 Reform final report available at www.14-19reform.gov.uk) published in October 2004. Proposals include: i) retention of GCSEs and A levels as the cornerstones of the education system (rather than adopting a universal baccalaureate-style qualification), but making improvements such as ensuring it is impossible to get a GCSE grade C or above without functional numeracy and literacy skills, promoting science GCSEs, allowing the most able A level students to take HE modules in the sixth form, and reducing the assessment burden at A level; ii) introducing new specialised Diplomas, covering both academic and vocational subjects as well as work experience, at three levels equivalent to foundation, GCSE and advanced level. The first four Diplomas will be available by 2008 for information and communication technology (ICT), engineering, health and social care, creative and media subjects; iii) developing a pilot programme for 14-16 year olds by 2007-08, based on the post-16 Entry to Employment programme, which will give pupils intensive personal guidance and support, involve significant work-based learning, lead to a level 1 Diploma with a range of further options including apprenticeships; iv) other proposals including introducing models of moderated teacher assessment in compulsory subjects to help raise standards across the curriculum; and introducing a 'pupil profile' for all 14 year old to record their cross-curricula achievements.