The key changes
13 April 2012
Existing system
- GCSEs at 16 for most pupils but about 5% leave school with no qualifications every year.
- AS-levels at 17 followed by A-levels at 18 for sixth formers. Top universities are confronted with growing numbers of students applying with three or more grade As.
Tomlinson's proposals
- A diploma with four tiers - entry, foundation, intermediate (equivalent to five GCSEs at grade C and above) and advanced (equivalent to three A-levels).
- Students begin studying for the diploma at 14 and have to pass practical literacy, numeracy and information technology courses by the time they leave school, at a level equivalent to a C at GCSE.
- They must also complete an extended project, which could be a long essay, and undertake voluntary and other extra-curricular work.
- As well as the compulsory "core", students also choose from a range of academic and vocational courses that comprise the "main learning" of the diploma.
- At advanced level, some questions will be of undergraduate standard to enable universities to spot the best candidates and there will be new A+ and A++ grades.
Government's likely response
- Retain GCSEs and A-levels and make A-levels more discriminating, by giving universities grades for the individual modules as well as the overall result, or by introducing new A+ and A++ grades.
- Rationalise vocational qualifications and bring them together in a new diploma.
- Launch a new drive to improve the practical maths and English abilities of school leavers.
- Enable more sixth formers to study undergraduate courses while still at school.
- Require 14- to 19-year-olds to complete a compulsory project before they leave school.
