Row over Gove plan to let dons set A-level papers

Plans to give universities powers to set A-levels sparked a row today despite fears the qualifications are failing to prepare teenagers for higher education.

Education Secretary Michael Gove announced plans to shake up A-levels which would see leading academics and exam boards setting papers with no involvement from Whitehall.

The move was backed by the qualifications watchdog Ofqual and given a cautious welcome by Labour, but one union leader dismissed it as a “gimmick”. Association of Teachers and Lecturers head Mary Bousted said it ignored the fact that many pupils took A-levels with no intention of taking degrees.

“A-levels are not just for university entry. They are for employment as well,” she said.

“They should test a wide range of skills such as literacy and ability to write well. University lecturers have an art form in complaining about A-levels, but whether they would spend their time and effort doing something about it and getting involved in exam design is another matter.”

Mr Gove announced the shake-up in a letter to Ofqual after a study by Cambridge Assessment found that many universities are putting on extra classes for first-year students because they are so badly prepared for their degrees.

The report found that many teenagers find it difficult to structure an essay, spell, punctuate and use grammar properly and carry out independent research because they have been “spoon fed” throughout A-levels.

The new A-level qualification, which could see the scrapping of modules and AS-level papers which are currently taken in the first year of sixth form, could be introduced as early as 2014.

In his letter, Mr Gove said: “In future, I do not envisage the Department for Education having a role in the development of A-level qualifications.

“It is more important that universities are satisfied that A-levels enable young people to start their undergraduate degrees having gained the right knowledge and skills, than that ministers are able to influence the curriculum content or methods of assessment.”

National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower said it was “disappointing” that Mr Gove had written to Ofqual without consulting teachers, but told the BBC: “There is a lot to commend A-levels, but there is no harm done in having a look at them again.”

Ofqual chief Glenys Stacey said parents and young people should welcome the plan, adding: “Students do want to hit the ground running when they get to university and getting universities more involved is the right thing.”