A-levels and GCSEs to go in huge shake-up

A landmark report out next week will recommend A-levels and GCSEs be abolished in a massive shake-up of secondary education.

A new diploma based on continental exams will be called for by a Government inquiry.

The proposals will cause a furious political row, with Tories vowingto fight any moves to scrap the A-level. The diploma is intended to end the farce of universities being forced to choose between hundreds of students who all have three A grades. The A grade will be split into three and there will be tougher questions for the brightest.

The diploma will have four levels. The top two, intermediate and advanced, will be the equivalent of grades C to A* at GCSE and A-level respectively, but those familiar names will disappear.

From 14, all pupils must pass a compulsory "core" of literacy and numeracy. For non-academic pupils there will be a bigger range of job-related courses and the number of exams will be cut.