New ABacc
students would take a mix of subjects

Government officials are developing a new Advanced Baccalaureate (ABacc) that would see pupils take a mix of science and humanities-based A-levels, the Times reported.

The reforms could also see modular courses scrapped in favour of two-year qualifications with exams taken at the end.

AS-levels would be kept, but separated from the new ABacc.

The proposals received tentative support from Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg, who said that the ABacc must include a broad range of subjects.

Under the ABacc plans students could be obliged to select “contrasting” subjects, to counter criticism that there is currently too much specialisation at age 16.

It could mean that a student who picks A-levels in maths, biology and chemistry could also be expected to do a fourth course in a humanities subject such as English or a language.

One option apparently being considered is to limit the A-Bacc to teenagers who choose at least two “traditional” A-Levels from a list generated by top universities.

The plans could also see students writing a 5,000-word essay and undertaking voluntary work.

Details of the plans to overhaul A-levels emerged just weeks after Education Secretary Michael Gove unveiled proposals to replace GCSEs with a new English Baccalaureate Certificate (EBacc).

The courses, in English, maths and science, would be first taught from September 2015, with the first exams taken at the end of the courses in 2017.

Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg said: “We support the concept of an ABacc, however Labour would ensure it includes a broad range of subjects and sits alongside our proposed Tech Bacc for vocational courses. If these changes include community work, an extended project and a wider range of courses, then that is welcome.

“Unfortunately, Michael Gove seems to be ignoring important subjects like computing and engineering which are critical for the modern economy.

Nansi Ellis, head of education policy and research at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “This is piecemeal change, dreamt up by politicians, which means no-one is quite sure what will happen next.”