HC Deb 08 May 1990 vol 172 cc10-1
12. Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the provision of the international baccalaureate examination; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Two schools have made representations about offering the international baccalaureate.

Mr. Bennett

My hon. Friend will be aware that one of the criticisms made of A-levels is that although they offer good depth, they lack breadth. The international baccalaureate, while providing the same academic standards, provides students with a broader curriculum at 18. Will my hon. Friend consider whether the Government should encourage the adoption of the international baccalaureate, especially as we move towards 1992?

Mrs. Rumbold

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I acknowledge that the international baccalaureate is set to very high academic standards. I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that, alongside A-levels, we have now introduced AS-levels, which are intended to do the job of introducing breadth into A-level studies.

Mr. Ian Taylor

Is my hon. Friend aware that, in my constituency, the American community school, on whose board of academic governors I serve, offers the international baccalaureate, and that many British people are now asking whether their children can be admitted to take it because of the international access that it gives them? Will my hon. Friend encourage other British schools to consider the matter seriously.?

Mrs. Rumbold

My hon. Friend will know that it is always open to schools to look closely at this matter.

Fourteen schools in this country already offer the international baccalaureate. Some are maintained schools and others are independent.