School leaders and staff are being invited to contribute to a consultation on the newly-proposed Advanced British Standard, a new post-16 qualification to replace A-levels.
The baccalaureate-style qualification will mean that students in England will typically study five subjects rather than three under the reforms.
Students will be required to study subjects at a “major” or “minor” level, including maths and English to age 18.
The proposals could take a decade to come on stream, the Government has said.
Speaking as the consultation opened today (Thurs Dec 14), prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to introducing the new Advanced British Standard, which will put academic and technical education on an equal footing, ensure our education system is fit for the future and give all young people the skills they need to fulfil their potential.”
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: “I encourage everyone to have their say on the development of the Advanced British Standard and help us get these transformational reforms right for business, right for education and, most importantly, right for young people.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union the NAHT, said that looking at post-16 qualifications in isolation from the rest of the education system showed “a complete lack of understanding of the importance of a coherent system from early years to the end of key stage 5.”