Commenting on ‘A narrowing path to success’, a study by the
Education Policy Institute (EPI) of A Levels and a narrowing of
curriculum breadth, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of
the National Education Union, said:
“This report confirms our fears that curriculum breadth has
diminished. Coupled with a change in funding formula, this means
students are getting less access now to a broad range of
qualifications at level 3 than they were before the reforms were
implemented.
“When the A and AS level reforms were taking place, we were clear
that the de-coupling of AS levels from A levels would have a
significant detrimental impact on the curriculum offer and on
achievement, because the de-coupling of AS levels would
disincentivise students to take them in the future.
“We agree with EPI that the curriculum at level 3 should not be
squeezed even further in terms of its breadth, and the government
proposal to de-fund Level 3 Applied General Qualifications, such
as BTECs, only adds to the reduction in curriculum range
available to young people.
“A broad education is vital for young people and our society in
the 21st century. A narrowing of choice at A level will also have
a knock-on effect on the subjects which teachers will be
qualified to teach in the future, sending us into a downward
spiral of diminishing diversity. If government truly wants a
'world-class' education system that promotes both academic
achievement and the development of skills for employment, we need
both better funding and a thorough review of the assessment and
qualifications system.”