Pupils 'should choose softer subjects'

A head teachers' leader admitted today that A-levels in some subjects are too easy.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, claimed schools encouraged students to take "softer" subjects, such as psychology, sociology and media studies, to secure passes for a university place.

Today the man asked to redesign secondary school exams, former chief schools inspector Mike Tomlinson, said the problem needed urgent attention.

He has recommended that GCSEs and A-levels should be replaced by a new European-style diploma consisting of studies across a wider range of subjects. "If a diploma was to replace A-levels the elements within it would need to be seen as of equal value," he said. "Otherwise a diploma gained after studying some subjects would be seen as worth more than another."

Today's results showed 95.4 per cent of entries resulting in a pass - up 1.1 percentage points on last year - and a rise in the number achieving an A-grade, up 0.9 points to 21.6 per cent.

Critics leapt on the 21st annual rise, with Ruth Lea of the Institute of Directors condemning "endemic and rampant grade inflation".

But John Milner, spokesman for the Joint Council for General Qualifications, denied A-levels were getting easier. "There is one standard set at A-level which is carried forward year after year," he said. However, Mr Dunford said there was not one A-level standard, but many - depending on the subject.

Today's statistics show a rise in entries for psychology - up 21 per cent - sociology and media studies, and a drop in "harder" subjects such as sciences and modern languages.

Mr Dunford, formerly the head of a Durham comprehensive, said research proved it was easier to obtain an A-grade in psychology than in maths.

"Schools are encouraging pupils to take easier A-levels because for most courses, universities don't require them to study specific subjects," he said. "It's the hidden scandal of the A-level system. Either the easy subjects need to be made harder or the hard ones easier."

The Department for Education attempted to deflect criticism by publishing sample questions from this year's psychology and law A-levels, where entries also increased.

But experts say the questions prove nothing about the standard set without information on how marks were awarded.

Mr Tomlinson, who monitored A-level marking this year after safeguards were brought in following his investigation into last year's grading debacle, today said he was "satisfied that students can be confident it has been conducted properly".