The future of post-16 qualifications

Education Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 23 Nov 2021 Closed: 8 Sep 2023 Parliament page
The Education Committee will hold an inquiry examining how effectively post-16, level 3 education and qualifications (such as A Levels, T Levels, BTECs and apprenticeships) prepare young people for the world of work. The Committee will consider the Government’s current work and proposals in this area and look at whether … Read more
4 Recommendations
46 Conclusions
1 Report
7 Oral sessions
2 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 18 events
5 Jul
2023
Report published
28 Apr
2023
Report published
17 Jan
2023
Correspondence
10 Jan
2023
Correspondence
13 Dec
2022
Oral evidence
13 Dec
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
8 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
8 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
18 Oct
2022
Oral evidence
18 Oct
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
12 Jul
2022
Oral evidence
12 Jul
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
13 Dec 2022
View on parliament.uk
The future of Post-16 qualifications
Rt Hon Robert Halfon · Department for Education Sue Lovelock · Department for Education
8 Nov 2022
View on parliament.uk
The future of post-16 qualifications (6 of 8)
Alice Barnard · Edge Foundation Kate Grieg · King Ethelbert School Richard Markham · IB Schools and Colleges Association (IBSCA) Tom Richmond · EDSK
18 Oct 2022
View on parliament.uk
Post 16 qualifications (5 of 7), Alternative qualification models
Andria Singlehurst · Aspirations Academies Trusts Martin Said · XP School Doncaster Tina Götschi · Ada, National College for Digital Skills Yiannis Koursis · Barnsley College
12 Jul 2022
View on parliament.uk
The future of Post-16 qualifications (4 of 7)
David Gallagher · NCFE Dr Lisa Morrison-Coulthard · National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) Kirsti Lord · Association of Colleges Mrs Ruth Perry · Natspec Tom Bewick · Federation of Awarding Bodies
17 May 2022
View on parliament.uk
The future of Post-16 qualifications (3 of 7)
Andy Webb · Skysmart Chris Pont · IJYI Ltd Jane Gratton · British Chambers of Commerce Lisa Silcock · Naylor Industries PLC Matthew McCarrick · McCarrick Construction Ltd Peter Cadwallader · The Port Hotel Steven Kearney · SKARCHITECTS
27 Apr 2022
View on parliament.uk
The future of Post-16 qualifications (2 of 7)
Sir Charlie Mayfield · QA Group The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett The Rt Hon. the Lord Willetts
30 Mar 2022
View on parliament.uk
The future of Post-16 qualifications
Andreas Schleicher · OECD The Rt Hon. the Lord Baker of Dorking CH
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - The future of post-16 qualifications HC 55 28 Apr 2023 50 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
6 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Third Report - The future of post-…
Work with universities to prevent unreasonable T Level entry requirements and clarify A-level compatibility
We have heard that some universities are requiring an A level alongside a T Level for entry onto degree programmes. Department guidance on whether an A level can feasibly be studied alongside a T Level appears inconsistent, and the Department … Read more
Government Response
The government clarified its unchanged position on A Levels being taken alongside T Levels, stating it supports students doing so. It has written to universities to raise awareness of T Levels and encourage transparent entry requirements, and will continue to work with the HE sector to explain qualification overlap, but did not commit to ensuring universities do not specify unreasonable entry requirements.
Department for Education
View details
29 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Third Report - The future of post-…
Monitor and annually publish evaluations on hybrid versus in-person T Level placement outcomes.
The Department must closely monitor how learner satisfaction, attainment and progression for those undertaking hybrid T Level placements compares with those undertaking fully in-person placements. Evaluations on this should be published annually.
Government Response
The government states its Technical Education Learner Survey is tracking T Level cohorts and will publish findings from the first cohort in late 2023/early 2024. It also plans to evaluate all placement delivery approaches, including hybrid models, and continually monitors them, but does not explicitly commit to annual comparative publication.
Department for Education
View details
39 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Third Report - The future of post-…
Commission independent review to boost young people's apprenticeship starts through levy reform
The Department must set out how it will address the long-term decline in apprenticeship starts among young people, and ensure apprenticeships are the gold-standard ‘earn and learn’ option for school and college leavers. The Department must commission an independent review … Read more
Government Response
The government outlined its plan to address the decline in young people's apprenticeship starts through existing and new initiatives, but rejected the call for an independent review into levy reform, stating it currently has no plans to reform the apprenticeship levy.
Department for Education
View details
40 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Third Report - The future of post-…
Expand flexi-job apprenticeship scheme to 5,000 by 2025, supporting SMEs and fair pay
Subject to positive evaluation, the Department must expand the flexi-job apprenticeship scheme with an ambition to support 5,000 apprentices on the scheme by 2025. The Department must maintain a particular focus on supporting small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) to … Read more
Government Response
The government committed to evaluating the Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agencies pilot this Autumn to explore future support for the scheme, but did not commit to the ambition of 5,000 apprentices by 2025. It accepted the recommendation to continue working closely with stakeholders to ensure fair pay and conditions, citing an increased apprentice minimum wage and a new Apprentice Support Centre.
Department for Education
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 48 of 4 classified
Accepted 22
Accepted in Part 4
Acknowledged 5
Deferred 5
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 10
Total 4 recs + 46 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
17 Jan 2023 Correspondence from Minister Halfon to the Chair regarding the Government’s review of post-16 qualifications at level 3 in England, dated 10 January
Parliament page
10 Jan 2023 Correspondence from Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator of Ofqual, regarding post-16 qualifications
Parliament page