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Original poster

WTF Rishi Sunak abolishes Alevels

101 replies

Icedlatteplease · 04/10/2023 20:01

Just what our kids need!!!.

It's hard enough to get maths teachers to GCSE let alone A levels. Most kids get the maths they need for day to day live by the start of secondary. Forcing kids who hate maths to remain in classrooms longer than they already need is wasting resources that could be better used on kids who actually want to do the subject

It's an absolute Joke. First time in my life I'll be voting Labour

OP posts:
DysonSpheres · 04/10/2023 20:04

I don't know what to think of this. What is the motivation to change the current system?

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 04/10/2023 20:04

And T-levels were fucking awesome. Just needed some decent unis to get behind them

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 04/10/2023 20:06

Supposedly to value technical qualifications more.🙄

OP posts:
Lookatmytoes · 04/10/2023 20:07

God knows
The T-levels have been a bit of a shit show so it merges them together. The won’t bring it in for years so no immediate things to organise. They can’t count and work out there isn’t enough teachers as there is. They have good friends who will enjoy all the consultancy dosh as the new quals are formatted. They are pulling things out of their arse… who knows

DysonSpheres · 04/10/2023 20:09

I know there's been apprehension about the huge gap in students going into engineering and stem careers. But is a science subject also going to be compulsory? And what will it mean for students who have A-levels now?

DS 2 is a natural at maths and is doing an engineering degree. But my first DS was hopeless, even with a tutor it was hard work to get a C. He would not have liked having to continue doing maths till 18.

That said I'm not sure it's necessarily a bad idea.

Bobbybobbins · 04/10/2023 20:12

I would say if it's practical maths like the core maths AS course then it would be more worthwhile, same with English. But agree that GCSE gives enough for those who aren't inclined to taking them further.

DysonSpheres · 04/10/2023 20:13

Is there another thread on this subject? If not perhaps move it to, or start it again, in Chat or AIBU OP for more responses. It's a super important subject.

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 04/10/2023 20:19

It's a horrendous idea. Most secondaries locally are at least 1 maths teacher down. Top GCSE sets are often packed 30 odd kids to a teacher. The lower sets are down to 10-14ish students to just try and get them through at sone kind of basic grade that really will mean nothing to their working life beyond getting a gatekeeping grade.

The kids that are good or middling good are already getting less teaching attention than they deserve. Many are put off because they have to put up with kids who really don't want to be in a maths classroom.

Meantime all our trades are missing out on kids who would be doing much better practically and gainfully employed than sat in a classroom trying to learn what? calculus?!?

OP posts:
Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 04/10/2023 20:22

Why doesn't he just expand the number of schools offering the IB by incentives?

JSMill · 04/10/2023 20:23

Don't worry. He won't be around long enough to put this into action.

Dotcheck · 04/10/2023 20:23

It’ll never happen.
But T levels are certainly NOT ‘awesome’

IgnoranceIsStrength · 04/10/2023 20:27

Never going to happen..he is literally just writing down things that have come to him in a fever dream. Stupid idea as are T levels which are not fit for purpose in many subjects

Piggywaspushed · 04/10/2023 20:29

I believe it is planned for introduction in 2033.

I shall file it meantime in the 'it's never going to happen' part of my brain for most of the claptrap they are despair announcing.

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 04/10/2023 20:31

Dotcheck · 04/10/2023 20:23

It’ll never happen.
But T levels are certainly NOT ‘awesome’

They should have been awesome, DD was looking at one that would have been fantastic in terms of on the job learning which she would far far have preferred. But it was clear potentially high achievers were being actively put off applying and acceptance at universities was not clear cut. The idea is good, I'll agree the reality much less so.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 04/10/2023 20:31

It won't happen. The Tories won't be around long enough to do it...
Hopefully 🙏

parcelpanic · 04/10/2023 20:32

What's the replacement?

Needmorelego · 04/10/2023 20:34

@parcelpanic some sort of nonsense combo of A-levels and T-Levels. 5 subjects - Maths compulsory. English too I think.
A load of nonsense.
A focus on more vocational training and apprenticeships is what is needed.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 04/10/2023 20:34

It's a 10 year plan thing, unlikely to happen.

The Tories have reached the desperate Monkey Tennis level of policy making...

Bendysnap · 04/10/2023 20:34

Spending two years doing just three subjects (or even four) is ridiculous - the rest of the world has moved on from such an insane system where you need to narrow down your interests aged just 16.

OP posts:
Bendysnap · 04/10/2023 20:35

So I think dismantling the A level system is brilliant. And while they’re at it, you should be able to apply to university with actual results - again like the rest of the world.

lljkk · 04/10/2023 20:37

making kids who hate math & English study it until age 18 is terrible plan.

How are they going to magic up extra math teachers? More immigrants?

Agree it will never happen !!

anothercupparosytea · 04/10/2023 20:38

Never going to happen
If the school qualification system needs an overhaul then this will require extensive engagement with numerous stakeholders in schools, colleges, universities and employers. Not something you dream up overnight and pledge at a party conference.

Needmorelego · 04/10/2023 20:38

@Bendysnap I feel the opposite. 16+ should be more about knowing what you want to do and following that path. Not faffing around with subjects you have zero interest in for 2 years more years.
I would like to see more 14+ specialist schools and more actual careers advice.

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 04/10/2023 20:43

Politicians just need to stop interfering in education, full stop.