Rishi Sunak is contemplating plans for a “British baccalaureate” that will see pupils over 16 examine a wider vary of topics, Sky News understands.
A authorities supply stated a transfer in direction of a extra continental-style system is one possibility being checked out as a part of proposals to radically reform A-levels.
According to The Times, which first reported on the story, English and maths would turn out to be obligatory up till the age of 18.
They are presently solely obligatory till age 16, although Mr Sunak has beforehand introduced plans to require college students to review maths for 2 additional years.
No remaining choice has been made, and the plans are unlikely to take impact earlier than the subsequent election, based on the newspaper.
It comes forward of the Conservative Party Conference, which is utilizing the slogan “long-term decisions for a brighter future”.
If confirmed, it might widen the wedge on training with Labour, whose insurance policies – together with scrapping the VAT exemption on personal colleges – have centered on breaking down boundaries and elevating requirements.
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Bridget Phillipson, the shadow training secretary, stated of the proposals: “This is simply the newest undeliverable gimmick from a weak prime minister and a dying Conservative authorities with no severe plan for bettering requirements of training for younger folks.
“Rishi Sunak should be focusing on long term plans to improve literacy and numeracy in younger children, not pursuing short term headlines with this unworkable policy, which will do nothing to raise standards.”
She added: “Labour will be focusing on how we lay strong foundations for high and rising standards in our schools and deliver a major review of curriculum and assessment from government, as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.”
The prospect of a British baccalaureate was not denied by the Department for Education.
Asked concerning the studies, a spokesperson stated: “Since 2010 we have made huge progress in driving up school standards and giving young people the best start in life, with record funding for schools and more full-time teachers than ever before.
“We have already taken steps to reform the post-16 {qualifications} panorama, together with reforming technical training and delivering hundreds of thousands of recent high-quality apprenticeships.
“Alongside this, we have set out bold plans to ensure that every young person studies some form of maths up to the age of 18 to give them the skills they need to succeed in the jobs of the future.”
Source: information.sky.com”