Labour would immediately halt Gove’s A-Level reforms

Labour would move immediately to stop planned A-level reforms after winning next year’s election, Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt will announce. Hunt will say that the overhaul of the A-level system, which are due to come into effect from next year after being devised by former Education Secretary Michael Gove, would be “turning the clock back on social mobility”.

Gove’s reforms are aimed at ‘toughening up’ the system, and include scrapping AS-levels and moving from coursework-based assessments to a more exam-intensive courses.

The reforms have been criticised by university admissions officers and teachers, who point out that they will adversely affect the chances of state school students getting into university, as they are most likely to improve results drastically between GCSE and AS.

According to the Guardian, Hunt will say:

“Of course we need to ensure we have rigorous assessments,”

“As secretary of state, I would insist on nothing less. But these changes will leave young people without the opportunity to realise their full potential. I won’t allow that to happen. If I am the next education secretary, I will put a stop to it.

“The Tories are turning the clock back on social mobility. David Cameron’s regressive policy to end the current AS-level qualification will close the window of opportunity for many young people wanting to go to university,” Hunt will say.

“Having spoken to sixth formers across England, I know how valuable they find AS-levels in helping to shape their options and spur them on.

“Under Cameron’s plan, in the future, pupils will not be open to the same opportunities as those who are receiving their exam results this week. That cannot be right.”