Ref. 72987-49 Students Andrew Leniec (left) and Jason SmithMOVES to give the education system its biggest shake-up in 60 years has received a mixed response in Swindon.

A report by the former chief inspector of schools, Mike Tomlinson, suggests that A levels and GCSEs could be scrapped and replaced by a new four level diploma for 14 to 19-year-olds.

The blueprint has been designed to cut down on exams and coursework and provide greater opportunities for work-related courses. The current qualifications would not be scrapped immediately, with the new diploma taking 10 years to be introduced.

Peter Moseley, principal of Swindon College, said: "Education should open doors for people. You need a system that gives everybody the best chance of making the most of their lives.

"We don't want an examination system that leaves a good number of people feeling as if they have failed. We want one that stretches everybody but also supports people in doing the best they can.

"I think this promises to be an appropriate way of doing just that. This will help people to develop at their own pace and it will open doors for people to get into higher education."

Steve Flavin, headteacher of Churchfields School in Old Walcot, said the new diploma would put a stop to claims that A levels and GCSEs are not tough enough.

"The national debate over standards at GCSE and A level has resulted in an increasing lack of confidence with parents, employers and universities," he said.

"It is a shame that students who have been so successful should have their results undermined.

"I therefore welcome any move towards establishing a new examination system which will recognise the achievements of students in public examinations."

But Keith Defter, headteacher of Commonweal School in Old Town, is concerned about possible upheavals.

"The only thing I would say is that once again there will be a period of turbulence in education. And the period of stability that we have been promised by the Government is yet to materialise.

"There has been one new initiative after another and they will need time and money to achieve this. I am still waiting to see read the full details of the proposals."

Phil Baker, branch secretary of the Swindon branch of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, agrees.

"The introduction of AS Levels was a classic case of mismanagement," he said.

"So we would ask the Government to listen to the professionals who will to deliver these changes."

John Saunders, headteacher of Highworth Warneford School, said: "I would support a system that is more inclusive in that more people will stay on and in the end achieve higher standards.

"But I think it's important that you maintain high standards for high achieving pupils.

"A levels need to be replaced by something of an equivalent standard.

"It does seem that the new diploma would include challenging courses for the more able pupils that will help them to progress onto higher education and university."

What the students think

Debbie Ettenfeild, 35, is studying for a degree in packaging and design at Swindon College said: "I don't think these new GCSEs are equal to O levels and I just think that things have become a lot more complicated now. I think it's a brilliant idea to cut down on the number of exams there are. There are many people who don't do well at exams because of the pressure."

Nikki Tim, 17, who is studying for an intermediate level GNVQ in art and design, said: "It's easier, isn't it? If there's less exams there's less pressure and less to do. What's the point in having five different exams to do when you can put it all together as one qualification? At the moment there's too much pressure on students."

Jason Smith, 17, an A level art student at Swindon College, said: "I'd rather they just kept A levels. They are such a step up from GCSEs and it helps you to improve as a person.

"I think it's good that it only takes two years to do your A levels because after your first year you are already half way through it."

Andrew Leniec, 17, an A level art student, said: "I suppose that having less exams to do would be good. And I like the idea of getting credited for doing things like work experience. It gives you a really good view into the outside world. But I do like the fact that GCSEs and A levels are so different."

Kirstie Twycross, 17, studying for an intermediate level GNVQ in art and design, said: "I think it's a good idea. There's just too much pressure on people at the moment. Everyone just gets too stressed out and depressed at exam time. There has got to be another way to go about getting qualifications. This would be a lot less stressful."

Diane Milne