Industry News
Brown told to scrap A-levels
Posted on 10th August 2007
The former chief schools inspector has urged prime minister Gordon Brown to abolish A-levels and replace them with qualifications that blend vocational and academic education.
Speaking on BBC radio 4's The World At One programme, Sir Mike Tomlinson said there remains a "serious question" about A-levels and whether they successfully achieve what they were designed to do, the Press Association reports.
According to Sir Mike, the government's new 14 to 19 diploma, which is intended to provide children with a more vocational education, is likely to create further division between academic and other qualifications.
"The Prime Minister is very concerned about skill levels and very keen to find ways of enhancing them," he told the programme.
Last month, the Department for Children, Schools and Families stated that its new engineering diploma had received the backing of a number of major employers, including British Gas and JCB.
Children, schools and families secretary Ed Balls said that support from industry was "crucial".