Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering a significant overhaul of the A-level system in England, with the potential introduction of a new educational qualification akin to a “British baccalaureate,” according to UK media reports.
One of the key elements under consideration is the compulsory study of mathematics and English until the age of 18, although it’s important to note that no final decisions have been made as yet.
The notion of a baccalaureate-style qualification was initially floated by Rishi Sunak during his leadership campaign against Liz Truss the previous year. The British PM has consistently advocated for extended math education for all young individuals up to the age of 18.
Sunak is anticipated to reveal further details of his education plans, potentially including the British baccalaureate, during the upcoming Conservative Party conference in October.
Currently, roughly half of 18-year-olds in England opt for A-levels, generally covering exams in three subjects. In 2021, the EDSK education think tank criticised the dominance of A-levels in secondary education as excessively narrow and called for a more comprehensive baccalaureate qualification to replace them. This new qualification would theoretically encompass a broader curriculum, allowing students to specialise progressively in academic, applied, and technical subjects over a three-year period.
It’s important to note that education is a devolved matter in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with each nation having authority over its own decisions in this regard.
Any significant educational reform in England is bound to be contentious, with concerns already emerging about its potential impact on teacher recruitment and retention issues.
Critics argue that broadening the curriculum, while an encouraging step, may result in an increased workload for educators. Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the National Education Union, referred to the proposal as “sketchy” and voiced concerns about the existing recruitment and retention crisis in the teaching profession.
However, the Sixth Form Colleges Association highlighted that the current post-16 curriculum in England is narrower than international standards, partially due to underinvestment in sixth-form education since 2010.