A major exam board is urging the Department for Education to keep A-level qualifications intact and has warned there are not enough teachers or school space to deliver its planned creation of the Advanced British Standard (ABS).
In its response to a DfE consultation, seen by Tes, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which includes exam board OCR, argues that the “respect, recognition and success” of A levels is ”of great benefit to UK students and growing numbers of their peers who sit A levels in other jurisdictions”.
It says that if the government does move ahead with creating the ABS, it should still keep the “A level” name in place.
The organisation also argues that many settings are already struggling financially and there will need to be more investment to deliver on the proposals.
Plan for A levels to be replaced by ABS
Plans for the ABS were first unveiled by prime minister Rishi Sunak last year at the Conservative Party conference. Under the new qualification, A levels and T levels would be replaced over the next decade.
Its aim is that students study both maths and English in some form up to the age of 18, while bringing academic and vocational courses together into one qualification.
Tes has seen a consultation response sent to the DfE on behalf of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, including its exam board OCR, Cambridge International Education and Cambridge Mathematics.
Headteachers’ leaders have also warned the DfE that its consultation over the creation of the qualification is “fundamentally flawed” and that delivering the ABS would require significant extra funding.
In its response, Cambridge University Press & Assessment told the government that while there are ”good opportunities to deliver important changes to the system”, it disagrees with the government on its proposals for that change.
The response says: “As we do so, we must maintain the depth, rigour, choice and international reputation that A levels have gained.
”If ABS reforms are introduced, we should maintain the ‘A level’ name - with its strong and growing international reputation and recognition - within the framework.
“A levels are widely recognised and growing in popularity in multiple education systems around the world. In a globalised economy, this respect, recognition and success is of great benefit to UK students and growing numbers of their peers who sit A levels in other jurisdictions.
“We strongly recommend retaining the ‘A level’ name, and with it the commitment to depth and rigour that A levels are known for, which could be achieved within a ‘majors’ framework.”
More investment ‘essential’
The response submitted says that the current post-16 system does not currently “serve the needs of all learners”, but adds that the ABS proposals do not “show a clear path to achieving that”.
It adds that the “biggest hindrance” to achieving this is ”the lack of contact time compared with other successful countries”.
But the response also warns that “many sixth forms and colleges are already struggling with finances” and “significantly more investment will be essential if the aspirations behind these proposals are to be realised”.
The response highlights that while it is ”essential” that contact hours are increased for post-16 education, it must happen more quickly than through the proposed 10-year timeframe proposed through ABS.
‘Significant’ increase in contact time needed
It also says that there is ”no evidence of underused capacity in the system”, for “teachers, accommodation or estate”.
And adds: “As a result, to move to the three majors plus two minors model of the ABS, there would need to be significant increases in contact time, the number of teachers and the number of rooms.
”To do this, the government would need to find ways to equip schools with the resource to increase contact time sooner.”
Merging vocational and academic ‘contains risk’
In its response to the consultation, the organisation has said that the merging of some vocational and academic subjects within the same qualification framework “contains significant risk”.
It told the DfE that “other successful education systems do not converge vocational and academic education”.
And also said that it is “important to retain a distinct approach to the more practical elements of vocational qualifications to ensure they can meet the highest standards in their own right and equip students for a rapidly changing workplace”.
The response claims that existing AS and A levels could carry out the function of the proposed majors and minors structure.
A DfE spokesperson said the ABS sets “a vision to put academic and technical education at 16-19 years on an equal footing”, and added that the move will “ensure all young people get the skills they need to fulfil their potential”.
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