Ministers moot exams shake-up

A more flexible curriculum for young people aged 14 to 19 will mean
fewer compulsory GCSE subjects and new “hybrid” GCSEs.

Under proposals announced by education minister David Milliband,
schools will be expected to forge closer partnerships with local
employers to enable all students to take part in “work-related
learning” as part of their individual study programme.

Milliband also announced a review of the entire curriculum and
assessment system for 14 to 19 year olds.

A working group will consider among other things whether there are
too many examinations, how a student’s achievements below the level
of five GCSEs could be assessed and recognised, and whether A
levels should be replaced by a unified school graduation
qualification.