Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
10
Recommendation
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
The Department must publish data on the education, apprenticeship, and employment destinations for the first cohort of T Level students at the earliest opportunity. While Department destination measures are usually published two years following the completion of 16–18 study, we recommend the Department fast-track this data, providing an interim picture …
Government response. The government rejects fast-tracking destination data for T Level students, stating it is not possible due to the complex data matching process required, which would result in incomplete information. They confirm that data is already made available at the earliest …
Department for Education
30
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
Up until July 2022, employers could claim £1,000 for every T Level industry placement. The Department must reinstate this incentive for small and medium enterprises, and microbusinesses, in order to facilitate their participation with T Levels. (Paragraph 104) The future of post-16 qualifications 51 Applied General Qualifications
Government response. The government explicitly rejects reinstating the employer incentive fund, stating it was a short-term COVID-19 response and not a sustainable model. Instead, it highlights the recently launched £12m Employer Support Fund designed to compensate employers for placement costs.
Department for Education
31
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
We welcome the Department’s ambition to simplify and declutter the post-16 landscape by tackling the 5,000 plus qualifications at level 3 and below with low or no enrolments. This will create a system that is clearer and easier to navigate, giving learners and employers confidence that qualifications are rigorous and …
Government response. The government explains the rationale behind its post-16 education reforms, stating it has already streamlined qualifications and removed funding from courses overlapping with T Levels. It expresses confidence that these reforms will increase outcomes and provide necessary skills, thus rejecting …
Department for Education
34
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
T Levels are a rigorous technical qualification which will offer the ideal pathway for many students, but they will not be the right choice for all learners. Applied General Qualifications serve a distinct and different purpose to T Levels, and play an important role in promoting social mobility by widening …
Government response. The government rejected the committee's view on the distinct purpose and social mobility role of Applied General Qualifications. It stated that many existing qualifications have low enrolments, are not employer-led, and are less effective than A Levels for university progression, …
Department for Education
36
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
The ability of businesses to offer sufficient, high-quality industry placements, and a clear track record of T Level success as well as evidenced improvement in equalities outcomes, should be prerequisites to scrapping further Applied General Qualifications on the basis of ‘overlap’.
Government response. The government rejected the idea of making employer placement success and improved equality outcomes prerequisites for scrapping further Applied General Qualifications. It instead detailed ongoing initiatives, including a £12m employer support fund and new services, aimed at strengthening T Level …
Department for Education
37
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
The Department must place a moratorium on defunding Applied General Qualifications. Tried and tested Applied General Qualifications should only be withdrawn as and when there is a robust evidence base proving that T Levels are demonstrably more effective in preparing students for progression, meeting industry needs and promoting social mobility. …
Government response. The government rejected the recommendation to place a moratorium on defunding Applied General Qualifications. It reiterated its rationale for reforming Level 3 qualifications, stating that many existing programs have low enrolments, are not employer-led, and are less effective than A …
Department for Education
41
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
The IB Careers Programme (IBCP) is a broad and flexible post-16 qualification, enabling students to acquire a valuable blend of academic, vocational and employability skills. The IBCP prepares students effectively for a range of progression opportunities. A destinations survey for the 2019 IBCP cohort showed that 56% of students had …
Government response. The government rejects the committee's assertion, stating it has not said it will withdraw funding for the IB Career Related Programme (CRP). It clarifies that it will continue to fund the IB Diploma and explains how different components of the …
Department for Education
42
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
The Department must revisit its decision to withdraw funding for the IB Careers Programme. It should continue to fund this rigorous and accessible qualification, or provide evidence that any replacement will generate improved outcomes.
Government response. The government rejected the premise of the recommendation by stating it has not decided to withdraw funding for the IB Careers Programme. It clarified that components of the programme could continue to be funded if they meet new qualification criteria …
Department for Education
43
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
Whereas many other countries insist on students covering a broad and balanced curriculum up to age 18, England is an international outlier in the narrowness of its upper secondary education. The average number of A levels taken by a student is just 2.67, and T Levels, the new technical qualification, …
Government response. The government rejects the premise of narrow post-16 education, stating it is already delivering reforms for a breadth of high-quality options, including A Levels, T Levels (with scope for an additional A level), and apprenticeships. It also highlights the Prime …
Department for Education
44
Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-16 qu…
Rejected
A baccalaureate model offers a broad and ambitious curriculum, enabling students to develop skills and knowledge across a wide range of disciplines. It also places important emphasis on holistic, extracurricular learning. Whilst there is little appetite for a major system change in this space, there needs to be proper research …
Government response. The government rejected the recommendation to establish an independent expert panel to review a baccalaureate model, stating it is already delivering reforms to ensure high-quality options and defending its current post-16 specialisation approach. It also rejected a wholesale review of …
Department for Education