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Independent schools 'slow on diploma take-up'

Posted on 30th November 2009

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The government's diploma qualifications - an alternative to A-levels - are proving unpopular with independent schools, it has been revealed.

Figures released by the Liberal Democrats and seen by the Independent show that only six fee-paying schools in the UK have signed up to deliver the qualifications which are now being offered to students for the second year.

The news provider cited comments by Andrew Grant, chairman of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which suggested reasons for the slow take-up may include the possibility of a change of government next year and the need to sign up to a consortium in order to offer the diplomas.

He commented: "I'm surprised the number is that high. The trouble is [that] independent schools are hampered by the requirement to sign up to a consortium to deliver them all. They don't want to do that."

Earlier this month, education sector commentator Harry Phibbs wrote for the Daily Mail that independent schools offer a higher standard of education to state schools, stressing that this is why their pupils are more frequently accepted into the Oxbridge universities. ADNFCR-921-ID-19486126-ADNFCR