Tomlinson's new diploma spells end for GCSE's and A levels

GCSE's and A levels should be replaced with a new 14-19 diploma system which would have real currency with employers, education and training organisations and the public, according to a report which calls for a radical shake up of the current education system.

The 14-19 Working Group, led by former chief inspector Mike Tomlinson, published its report today which calls for a new four-stage diploma framework – entry, foundation, intermediate and advanced.

The diploma system would allow young people to "progress at their own pace, stretching the most able and helping less able students to reach their potential", the report said.

Diplomas would retire existing qualifications taken by 14-19 year olds – including A levels, AS levels, AVCEs, BTECs and GCSEs – instead dropping them down to 'components' of the new system.

However, the first diploma programmes should not be fully introduced for at least 10 years to allow the changes to be fully piloted.

The Tomlinson report foresees a course structure which raises the quality of vocational training, reduces the amount of assessment, and simplifies the qualification system.

The new qualifications would also see lessons and courses that stretch and engage all learners, pupils thinking creatively for themselves, as well as competencies achieved in mathematics, English and computing and other generic skills.

The diploma should be particularly valuable for young people who are currently disengaged from education, those who drift from truancy to poor results, the working group concluded. The new system would allow young people to select from a range of vocational and academic options and achieve qualifications that are meaningful.

The new diploma would also support employers by ensuring that young people have acquired the basic and personal skills they need to succeed in today’s labour market.

Tomlinson went on to highlight "significant weaknesses" in the current schooling arrangements such as the fact that too few young people continue learning beyond compulsory schooling – the UK has the fifth highest drop out rate at 16 among 28 of the world’s most developed nations. And of all school leavers, too few young people are "properly equipped for work".

A lack of strong vocational qualifications, too much assessment, and a confused and unclear system were also highlighted as serious weaknesses that must be addressed by the new criteria.

(gmcg/mb)