Top schools set to drop A-levels

Top independent schools are set to widen the qualifications gulf which separates them from most state schools, and tighten their stranglehold on places in higher education, it has emerged.

More fee-paying schools are poised to switch from A-levels to the International Baccalaureate, a more rigorous exam which most state schools do not have the resources to teach.

Kings College Wimbledon revealed yesterday it is to switch to the Baccalaureate after offering both exams since last September. The move will increase pressure on other independent schools to follow suit, further damaging the credibility of A-levels.

The former head of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Dr Nick Tate - now head of Winchester College - said his school was weeks away from deciding whether to drop A-levels in favour of the Baccalaureate.

The IB is highly regarded by universities. Pupils have to take six subjects, including three at higher level, equivalent to A-level or harder. Subjects studied must include pupils' own language, a foreign language, a humanities course, science, maths and another subject of choice. The IB also requires a presentation and essay on the theory of knowledge, an extended essay and a community service and creativity programme.

Sevenoaks school in Kent has said it will phase out A-levels for the IB by 2006. North London Collegiate School, one of the country's top independent girls schools, is another said to be considering the IB. In a separate development, the Head Masters' Conference in April will discuss moves to relegate GCSEs to a minor exam for 14 or 15-year-olds. Pupils would take only four, and would then spend two years doing up to seven AS-levels.