Tomlinson: Exam labels irrelevant

Any reforms might take 10 years to be implemented

The author of a report on England's exams says it does not matter whether A-levels and GCSEs remain as "labels".

Mike Tomlinson said what was crucial was that other elements of the reform package should be adopted.

His working party on 14-19 learning in England proposed absorbing existing qualifications into a diploma.

But the prime minister then said: "GCSEs and A-levels are here to stay" - which the Tories say shows Labour's policy is "in chaos".

It did not matter what people called the diploma's components, Mr Tomlinson told BBC News Online.

'Wrapper'

The important thing was to have "a coherent programme" that allowed people to make progress through the system.

If one is pragmatic, there will continue to be people who will continue to label these components as GCSEs and A-levels Mike Tomlinson

His proposals include fewer exams, especially at the equivalent of GCSE level, a focus on a core of basic skills including "functional" numeracy and literacy, more demanding questions at the advanced level and clearer vocational options.

The government has promised to respond to the recommendations of the inquiry, which it set up, with a White Paper in the New Year.

In the Commons on Monday, the Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, said: "I do not believe that a diploma can, under any circumstances, be simply a wrapper for individual qualifications."

Later Tony Blair told business people: "As Mike Tomlinson has said, and Charles Clarke reiterated, GCSEs and A-levels will stay."

'Transparent'

Then on Tuesday, the School Standards Minister, David Miliband, told reporters at an education gathering in London that the names A-level and GCSE would appear on the proposed transcript listing students' achievements.

"Mike says absolutely clearly that the A-level and the GCSE will be reported independently on the transcript, there for all to see.

"If you get an A in A-level English, that will be transparently there for anyone to see," he said.

Mike Tomlinson told BBC News Online on Tuesday: "Clearly, if one is pragmatic, there will continue to be people who will continue to label these components as GCSEs and A-levels whatever we do.

"There's nothing to prevent them still being there if that's what people decide. At the end of the day it's not really a matter on which to have a great argument."

Sensitivities

His analogy is the International Baccalaureate.

In that, a student's science component, for example, was clearly identified and separately graded - but did not have a title because it was simply part of the whole.

Mr Tomlinson said he was just as aware as anyone of the political sensitivities.

Losing the GCSE and A-level "labels" would "of course" be the last stage of reform - in the interim they needed to remain because youngsters were still taking the separate qualifications.

The Conservative Party leader, Michael Howard, has advocated a return to only a fixed quota of top A-level grades each year, and keeping external exams at the age of 16.

The shadow education secretary, Tim Collins, said the "mixed messages" from Labour had led to "confusion and muddle".

"I am glad that the PM has now chosen to endorse the education agenda outlined by Michael Howard," Mr Collins said.

"Clearly only the retention and strengthening of a robust A-level style exam, combined with rigorous external testing at 16, offers the opportunity not only to restore public confidence in examination integrity but also inspire achievement at all levels."