He proposes that no student be awarded an advanced qualification without at least a GCSE-standard grade C in practical maths, English and computing tests. He also proposes that all should complete an extended project, which could be multidisciplinary But his diploma does not require broader A-level studies. One reason is that our traditional three-year degree courses are premised on students reaching A-level standard before embarking on them. The Government would not subsidise an extra year of study.Some state and independent schools do things differently. They offer the International Baccalaureate, where sixth-formers take six subjects, three to A-level standard.
They must study English, maths, a foreign language, a science and a humanities subject, though they can take two subjects in the latter three disciplines. British universities happily recognise this qualification.The IB could not be imported wholesale into every British school or college. For one thing, the foreign-language requirement would put many off We may lament the fact, but we can't ignore it. The more serious objection is that the IB is too difficult for many now taking A-levels. Schools that offer the IB insist that its students should first achieve five Bs at GCSE rather than five Cs.This should not prevent a British Bac developing, where students would not specialise solely in science or humanities at 16. They would continue studying English and maths in the sixth form: having to achieve a GCSE in both subjects, as Tomlinson proposes, should not be the limit of our ambitions.
And if the IB is too demanding, pass and honours options could be introduced.It should even be possible to deal with the universities' principal objections. My Alma Mater, University College, Dublin, along with other Irish universities, still runs three-year degree courses for students, with a generalist leaving certificate. Many of their graduates are happily accepted for post-graduate study in Britain. If we are serious about tackling the real A-level problem, we can do the same here.Next week's White Paper should focus on getting vocational education right: a big expansion of apprenticeships for 14- to 16-year-olds and more properly funded college-based courses will be key solutions But nobody should worry if Kelly passes on the diploma.
