Edexcel yesterday hosted the first of its GCE 2008 launch seminars.  Attended by over 220 delegates from school and college senior management teams, the event set A level redevelopment in the context of the wider 14 – 19 education reform.

Keynote speaker, Mary Curnock Cook, Director of Qualifications and Skills at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) said:

“The 14 – 19 reforms are wide ranging and have to address a number of issues. The UK has fewer young people staying on in education and training than most of its economic competitors.  Nearly half of young people don’t achieve five good GCSEs, and employers and higher education feel that young people aren’t equipped with the right skills – basic mathematics, personal skills, thinking skills, communication skills.

“My belief is that the Diplomas will open up A levels to more young people.  Either because learners are motivated by their Level 2 Diploma to stay on in education and progress to A levels, or because they are taking an A level as part of their Level 3 Diploma – either as additional and specialist learning or by choosing a coherent selection of A levels for the principal learning element.

“The changes to A levels are significant.  We are seeking to reduce the overall assessment burden whilst making A2 assessment more challenging."

"We want to introduce extended writing in all subjects, include a wider range of question types – moving away from short answer questions and introducing synoptic assessment – and make it more difficult to ‘teach to the test’.

“There are many reasons for the high A level pass rate.  Firstly, young people don’t get entered unless they are expected to pass; secondly, the introduction of the AS level has contributed to the pass rate; and thirdly, more people pass because more people enter.

“We are introducing an A* from 2010 to recognise high achievement.  The A* is only available on the full A level and not on units of the AS award.  Candidates will be required to score an aggregate of 90% across the A2 units as well as a grade A on the entire qualification to achieve an A*.  There will be further trials this summer and next looking at how well the stretch and challenge agenda is being met.

“We are seeking to ensure that the qualifications system is integrated, not made up of separate pathways.  A levels will continue to be a high valued route for many years to come.  They will also be a major part of the Level 3 Diplomas.  The 14 – 19 reform programme has profound implications on the futures of young people.  We have to ensure we get these reforms right.”

Jerry Jarvis, Edexcel’s Managing Director opened the event.  He said:

“The new A levels are part of a greater vision for Edexcel.  We want to provide an unparalleled level of support for teachers and management teams and we want to enable teachers to create a personalised learning environment for students.”

Two integral parts of Edexcel’s support for its new A level suite make use of innovative technology.  Many of the new specifications will be available on a CD Rom as an interactive e-Spec and Edexcel’s ResultsPlus service – delivering detailed information on student performance - will be available for all AS and A2 examinations.

Summaries of Edexcel’s new A level specifications, further details on the full range of support services and dates of future launch meetings are available on the GCE 2008 website.

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