§ 26. Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what review he has undertaken of the position of A-levels; and if he will make a statement.
§ 43. Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what review he has undertaken of the position of A-levels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend received advice in July from the School Examinations and Assessment Council on the future development of the advanced level examining system, recommending, and seeking approval for, a programme of work to develop general principles to govern A-level and AS examinations. These principles should provide controls on standards, syllabus development and progression from GCSE, together with a mechanism for rationalising and improving the quality of syllabuses. SEAC's advice also related to the promotion of AS examinations.
My right hon. Friend accepted that advice, and a copy of the exchange of correspondence has been placed in the Library of the House. My right hon. Friend expects to write very shortly on some further aspects of SEAC's advice, on the relationship between A-level and AS syllabuses and wider issues of education and training for all young people aged to 19.
The work now put in hand will enable the existing structure of A-level and AS examinations to evolve to meet changing needs, and, in particular, both to encourage movement towards a broader curriculum for advanced-level students and to secure future progression from the national curriculum into advanced-level study.