'Super A-levels' plans into chaos

Plans to offer "super A-level" qualifications to the brightest pupils were thrown into chaos today when the Government's own advisers warned that it could destroy the exam's integrity.

Officials from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) have urged ministers to abandon the proposal, saying it "presents substantial risks to the quality of examining at A-level and to the trustworthiness of existing grades".

The plans for elite A-levels were unveiled in February by Education Secretary Estelle Morris in a Green Paper on education for pupils aged 14 to 19.

Under them, youngsters would be offered optional harder questions in their Alevel exams that could earn them an A-grade distinction. The move has been designed to help universities select the brightest students from the many who achieve A grades at A-level.

The QCA report says: "The authority is not convinced that the proposed change to A-level grading is necessary, practicable or desirable." It adds that the proposal to introduce a sixth grade without any increase in examination time would "compromise the trustworthiness of examination standards at grades A to E".

Officials argue that ministers would be better off sticking to the original proposal for Advanced Extension Awards (AEAs), which would be sat by 18-year-olds when they had completed their A-levels.

Today's warning presents a fresh headache for Ms Morris who today warns England's exam boards that they are drinking in the last chance saloon, after a series of blunders which have jeopardised children's chances of success.