GOVERNMENT DUCKING MAJOR REFORM OF A-LEVELS - DAVEY

3.42.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th Aug 2005

Students in England and Wales recieve A-Level grades this Thursday.

There have been renewed calls for the replacement of A-levels by an overarching diploma after predictions that this year's pass rate, and the number getting A grades, would go up again on Thursday.

Sir Mike Tomlinson, the senior education adviser who was asked by Labour to revamp the secondary school exam system, told the Guardian that it was inevitable that A-levels would be scrapped in favour of the baccalaureate-style diploma he proposed, despite objections from ministers.

Simon Davey, a Congleton campaigner who himself did his A-Levels only 4 years ago said,

"If the A-Level pass rate has gone up, as reports suggest, we should be congratulating everyone involved and not undermining them. It does our students and teachers a huge discourtesy when politicians talk down their hard work and success. We do need to reform A-Levels to stretch our brightest students and to end the vocational/academic divide. There is strong case for major reform of A-Levels which the Government keeps ducking."

Simon, who's girlfriend is due to recieve exam results Thursday, wishes all the best to everyone expecting grades over the coming weeks.