Select Committee · Education Committee

The future of post-16 qualifications

Status: Closed Opened: 23 Nov 2021 Closed: 8 Sep 2023 4 recommendations 46 conclusions 1 report

The Education Committee will hold an inquiry examining how effectively post-16, level 3 education and qualifications (such as A Levels, T Levels, BTECs and apprenticeships) prepare young people for the world of work. The Committee will consider the Government’s current work and proposals in this area and look at whether an alternative model, which enables …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - The future of post-16 qualifications HC 55 28 Apr 2023 50 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
2 Conclusion Third Report - The future of post-16 qu… Deferred

Set ambitious target for 75% of young people to achieve Level 3 by 2030.

The Department must set an ambitious target for at least three-quarters of young people to be qualified to level 3 by 2030. Within this target there should be a concentrated effort to ensure that skills for the future economy and the skillsets required to meet the net zero and nature …

Government response. The government's response describes existing work by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the National Careers Service to provide information and guidance on T-Level progression opportunities. It does not address the recommendation to set an ambitious target for …
Department for Education
7 Conclusion Third Report - The future of post-16 qu… Deferred

Work with IfATE to map and publish clear T Level progression opportunities

The Department must work with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to clearly map and publish progression opportunities for T Level students. 48 The future of post-16 qualifications This will help reduce uncertainty among students, parents and employers, and will demonstrate how T Levels can provide a springboard to …

Government response. The government's response explains that it is not possible to fast-track the publication of T-Level destination data due to the process of matching with other data sources. It confirms findings from the first cohort's destinations will be published in late …
Department for Education
13 Conclusion Third Report - The future of post-16 qu… Deferred

Consider introducing micro-accreditation for T Level learners not completing the full programme

The Department must consider the case for micro-accreditation for T Level learners who for whatever reason do not complete their full programme of study. Allowing some form of credentialling for partially completed T Levels would encourage more learners to take them up and allow those who do drop out to …

Government response. The government's response outlines ongoing awareness campaigns for T-Levels, efforts to develop industry placements, and funding provided to the Careers & Enterprise Company. It does not address the recommendation to consider micro-accreditation or credentialing for partially completed T-Levels.
Department for Education
47 Recommendation Third Report - The future of post-16 qu… Deferred

Create numeracy qualification for students missing Level 4 GCSE Mathematics grades

An A level maths qualification will evidently not be appropriate for all students. A level 3 core maths qualification provides applied, real-world maths skills, including financial skills, and we believe that more students should have the opportunity to study this qualification. The Government should consider a qualification or accreditation in …

Government response. The government is convening an expert advisory group and commissioning research to advise on essential maths knowledge and skills for young people, including financial literacy, as part of a broader 'Maths to 18' mission.
Department for Education
50 Conclusion Third Report - The future of post-16 qu… Deferred

Consider focused qualifications in practical numeracy and financial skills for broader student benefit

Consideration should be given to how focused qualifications in practical numeracy and financial skills could be used to broaden the reach of this initiative and ensure that a wide variety of students can benefit from further study of mathematical skills in context. (Paragraph 191) 54 The future of post-16 qualifications

Government response. The government is convening an expert advisory group as part of its Maths to 18 mission to advise on essential maths knowledge and skills, with its scope including consideration of financial literacy for young people.
Department for Education

Oral evidence sessions

7 sessions
Date Witnesses
13 Dec 2022 Rt Hon Robert Halfon · Department for Education, Sue Lovelock · Department for Education View ↗
8 Nov 2022 Alice Barnard · Edge Foundation, Kate Grieg · King Ethelbert School, Richard Markham · IB Schools and Colleges Association (IBSCA), Tom Richmond · EDSK View ↗
18 Oct 2022 Andria Singlehurst · Aspirations Academies Trusts, Martin Said · XP School Doncaster, Tina Götschi · Ada, National College for Digital Skills, Yiannis Koursis · Barnsley College View ↗
12 Jul 2022 David Gallagher · NCFE, Dr Lisa Morrison-Coulthard · National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), Kirsti Lord · Association of Colleges, Mrs Ruth Perry · Natspec, Tom Bewick · Federation of Awarding Bodies View ↗
17 May 2022 Andy Webb · Skysmart, Chris Pont · IJYI Ltd, Jane Gratton · British Chambers of Commerce, Lisa Silcock · Naylor Industries PLC, Matthew McCarrick · McCarrick Construction Ltd, Peter Cadwallader · The Port Hotel, Steven Kearney · SKARCHITECTS View ↗
27 Apr 2022 Sir Charlie Mayfield · QA Group, The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett, The Rt Hon. the Lord Willetts View ↗
30 Mar 2022 Andreas Schleicher · OECD, The Rt Hon. the Lord Baker of Dorking CH View ↗

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
17 Jan 2023 Correspondence from Minister Halfon to the Chair regarding the Government’s rev…
10 Jan 2023 Correspondence from Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator of Ofqual, regarding post-16 qua…