Independent schools want to keep A-levels and GCSEs

The government is set to overhaul the secondary exam system - and there have been calls for a baccalaureate-style "diploma" made up of several subjects.

But private schools express "deep scepticism" about such proposals.

Independent schools also criticised exam coursework, accusing it of being "repetitive and open to abuse".

'Burdensome'

The comments were made in a joint statement from independent schools organisations - in anticipation of the future re-structuring of the exam system.

This joint statement presented a blueprint for how independent schools would like to exams structured.

This firmly rejects "grouped awards or diplomas", saying it is "vital to retain the importance of individual subject identities".

It also says that "without acceptance by universities ... diploma proposals have little chance of credibility".

The independent schools want to keep a slimmed down version of AS-levels, but "de-coupled" from full A-levels.

It also calls for the retention of GCSEs, but with the scrapping of coursework, which it says is "burdensome" and too open to cheating.

And it says that apart from in core subjects, such as English and maths, pupils should not have to take a GCSE in a subject which they were going to take at advanced level - suggesting that pupils could skip GCSEs and move straight to the advanced level.

The statement also asserts the importance of improving the vocational education available to pupils.

"The key priority for reform must be to reduce the overall burden of these examinations," says the statement, issued on behalf of the Girls' Schools Association, the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, the Independent Schools Association and the Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses' of Independent Schools.

A report into the future of the 14 to 19 curriculum is expected next month from former chief inspector, Mike Tomlinson.