Education minister leighton andrews has confirmed controversial plans to overhaul a-levels in england won't be adopted in wales.
Uk education secretary michael gove likes to separate the as-level – that currently counts towards full a-levels ( a2 ) – to get a “high-quality standalone qualification” on its own.
He same he needed the new as-level to remain a lot of “intellectually demanding”, delivered over one or 2 years and covering half the content of the full a-level.
Changes announced in england would too see the existing modular structure scrapped in favour of the a lot of traditional “linear” system, with pupils sitting all their exams at the top with the two-year course.
The new a-levels are set to remain introduced in england from september 2015, when using the elite russell group of universities expected to advise upon their future content.
Other then mr andrews same the welsh government’s support for as and a-levels had “not wavered” and therefore the administration remained committed to retaining them.
It follows a high-level fall-out between westminster and therefore the devolved governments over gcses, that happen out to be being modified significantly across the border.
Mr andrews has already assured that students who started their a-level courses in september 2012 cohort will certainly be allowed the capability to sit the very same january exams as their predecessors.
Other then delicate changes can see january assessment opportunities phased out and from january 2014, students will certainly be limited to 1 re-sit per module, as is currently the case for gcses.
Mr andrews same : “the removal of january assessments can scale back the quantity of time spent on assessment rather than just learning ; can make the internal system simpler and a lot of cost effective ; and is going to lessen the examination burden for teachers and learners.
“The retention as to actually the as/a2 structure in wales can align when using the views of stakeholders in wales and beyond upon the merits as to actually the current system, and is going to will continue to offer valuable data to higher education establishments upon the progress being made by potential applicants. ”
Mr andrews has received widespread support for a-levels and cambridge university vice-chancellor professor sir leszek borysiewicz has written towards the minister backing the welsh government’s retention of as-levels inside their current type.
Mr andrews same his officers could be operating with welsh exam board wjec and alternative stakeholders to bring forward the proposals within the coming months.
He added : “members might also be aware that these proposals mirror those place forward in northern ireland and i even have asked my officers to explore the extent to that the welsh government may well be ready to agree on many of the detail relating towards the revised as and a-levels with colleagues in northern ireland.
“The review of qualifications found that gcses, as and a-levels are trusted and valued qualifications. with suitable and appropriately timed reform, we are able to be certain that these qualifications are even higher and of a typical and that is comparable when using the rest as to actually the uk and beyond.
“In wales, our support for gcses, as and a-levels has not wavered so we stay committed to retaining them. ”
Dr philip dixon, director of atl cymru, welcomed the announcement and same : “we are pleased that the minister has ruled that as and a-levels can continue in wales as coupled qualifications which as can contribute towards the full a-level.
“Many as to actually the uk’s leading universities, together with cambridge, have recognised the predictive worth of as-level for final a-level achievement and have now resisted michael gove’s go have them de-coupled.
“This move can ensure welsh students are best placed to prove to universities these are'>what they're good at achieving. ”
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