Michael Gove accused of making 'cavalier' changes in A-level reforms

Michael Gove was today accused of making “cavalier” changes to A-levels as he revealed plans to toughen up the exams.

Under reforms teenagers will be tested at the end of two years, with no exams in the first 12 months, to prevent courses being broken down into “bite-sized” chunks.

AS-levels will be stand alone qualifications and will no longer count towards final A-level grades. Leading universities will help design the courses which will be introduced in 2015.

Speaking to a cross-party committee of MPs today, the Education Secretary said he was making the changes to ensure students are prepared for university.

But teachers’ leaders said the changes are being brought in too quickly. Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said there was no evidence that most universities or employers were dissatisfied with A-levels, adding that these are “profound reforms that should not be contemplated lightly”. She added that the changes were being taken forward in a “cavalier, evidence-lite fashion”.

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Mr Gove was “turning the clock back” and the plan would narrow young people’s options.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, also sounded a note of warning, saying the union was “not convinced” that AS-levels should be a separate qualification.

Mr Gove revealed his plans in a letter to exams watchdog Ofqual. He said: “I am concerned that some natural science degrees have become four year courses to compensate for problems with A-levels.

“Linguists complain about the inadequacy of university entrants’ foreign language skills. Mathematicians are concerned that current A-level questions are overly structured and encourage a formulaic approach, instead of using more open-ended questions that require advanced problem solving.”

He added that there was growing concern that private school pupils have an advantage in the competition for university places because they are taught beyond A-levels.