Responses to Cambridge Exams Pre-U

Martin Allen, letter, The Guardian 23/07/08 The real issue for Greg Watson (Cambridge exam chief...Guardian 22/07 http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/jul/22/alevels.gcses) is that too many young people are now passing A-levels, a qualification originally designed for the elite few. Faced with the demands of Government's 'standards agenda', teachers increasingly 'teach to test', but it is also the case that … Continue reading Responses to Cambridge Exams Pre-U →

Why we need a general diploma accessible to all

Martin Allen and Patrick Ainley The Guardian 15/04/08 The government's new strategy for 14-19 follows the peak in numbers of 18-year-olds entering higher education (42.5% in 2005-06), along with those achieving two A-levels (34% in 2006). Although more than 80% remain in full-time education for … Continue reading Why we need a general diploma accessible to all →

Functional for who? A quick assessment of the new functional skills

Martin Allen Post-16 Educator March-April 2008 ‘Functional skills’ are being piloted in 1000 schools and colleges. Part of the Tomlinson working group proposals for 14-19 education, their introduction is a response to demands from employer representative for higher standards in literacy and numeracy amongst young people. Completing functional skills will … Continue reading Functional for who? A quick assessment of the new functional skills →

Desperate Diplomacy – Ed Balls announces more diplomas

Martin Allen Post-16 Educator Nov-Dec 2007 Ed Balls' announcement of 3 new ‘subject based’ diplomas does not represent a fundamental change of heart by the Government. Neither, as Head teachers leader John Dunford correctly observes (TES, 26/10/07), does it constitute a return to the spirit of Tomlinson. As Balls' announcement … Continue reading Desperate Diplomacy – Ed Balls announces more diplomas →

Learning for Labour: specialist diplomas and 14-19 education.

Martin Allen FORUM Vol 49 No 3 2007 http://www.wwwords.co.uk/forum/content/pdfs/49/issue49_3.asp Despite reports of ministers wanting to delay implementation, government have given the go-ahead for 5 new specialist diplomas to begin from September 2008 in a limited number of schools and colleges. The 2006 Education Act gave young people a ‘national entitlement’ to … Continue reading Learning for Labour: specialist diplomas and 14-19 education. →

A-levels: not as golden as they used to be

Martin Allen Socialist Education Journal No2 August brings the annual hue and cry about A-levels being too easy, with this year proving to be no exception. The London Evening Standard front paged with ‘A-grades for one in four A-levels’ while The Guardian provided a picture of a 12 year old computer games fan, … Continue reading A-levels: not as golden as they used to be →