A-levels and GCSEs ditched

A-levels and GCSEs are to be axed as part of the most radical shake-up of exams for 50 years.

They will be replaced by a new diploma modelled on the French exam method.

The move is to be recommended after a high-powered review of the system ordered by ministers following mounting criticism of A-levels. Ministers hope the diploma will end criticisms that A-levels, once the gold standard of education, have been dumbed down.

But the reforms, to be announced later this month, will take at least a decade to complete to minimise the disruption to schools.

The diploma is intended to end the farce of universities being forced to choose between hundreds of potential students all of whom have three A grades.

It will also massively expand job-related courses for teenagers who do not want to follow academic subjects and will slash the number of exams pupils have to sit. Education Secretary Charles Clarke ordered the reforms in the wake of the 2002 A-level grades crisis.

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