ASCL comment on pause and review of post-16 qualification reform

Responding to an announcement that the government will undertake a pause and review of post-16 qualification reform at Level 3 and below, Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders said:

“It is hugely welcome that the new government has listened to the concerns of the profession and announced this pause and review. Applied general qualifications, such as BTECs, are a really important qualification for so many young people, and help them progress to further study or employment.

“However, while the confirmation that the review will be concluded by the end of the year is very encouraging, there is not yet detail on how long the pause will be in place. School and college leaders, and their students, need certainty about the courses that can be run for the next two years. We therefore urge the government to extend the pause until 2027 for all of the current applied general qualifications.”