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Independent schools turning their backs on A-levels?

Posted on 5th March 2010

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Heads of independent schools are encouraging their students to take exams other than A-levels, it has been reported.

An article for the Times Education Supplement found that A-levels are becoming known as the option for lesser-able pupils as a result of this.

The situation is also not helped by the number of students who are achieving A grades, it claimed, which has been boosted by modular exams and retakes.

Andrew Halls, head of Kings College School in Wimbledon, told the paper: "You can get a B at A-level in a way you couldnt 20 years ago, without being that good and without doing that much work."

He added that International Baccalaureate students in his school generally have higher results than usual at GCSE, yet are as able as those who take A-levels.

In recent months, the CBI called for more young people to take science, technology, engineering and maths degrees after the age of 16. ADNFCR-921-ID-19653890-ADNFCR