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
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The future of Post-16 qualifications
Rt Hon Robert Halfon · Department for Education Sue Lovelock · Department for Education
8 Nov 2022
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
25 Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-…
Publish national and regional forecasts on potential industry placement demands and shortfalls.
The Department must publish forecasts on potential industry placement demands and shortfalls as soon as possible, at both national and regional level.
Department for Education
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26 Conclusion
Third Report - The future of post-…
Convene an employer-led industry placement taskforce with SMEs to tackle T Level scaling issues.
Scaling up T Level placements could have inadvertent negative consequences for other parts of the skills agenda by reducing employers’ willingness to continue with existing programmes such as apprenticeships, and supported internships which also require placements. The Department must convene … Read more
Department for Education
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32 Conclusion Not Addressed
Third Report - The future of post-…
Equalities assessment reveals disproportionate negative impact on vulnerable student groups from qualification reforms.
We are disappointed that the Department’s equalities impact assessment identifies that students with special educational needs and disabilities, Asian ethnic groups, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and males are disproportionately likely to be affected by the Department’s qualification reforms. The Department’s … Read more
Government Response
The government defends its Level 3 qualification reforms by highlighting issues with existing qualifications, such as low enrolments, lack of employer standards alignment, and poor progression to related occupations or university outcomes, particularly for BTEC students. It does not directly address the committee's specific concerns regarding the inadequacy of its equalities impact assessment.
Department for Education
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33 Conclusion Not Addressed
Third Report - The future of post-…
Unclear number of students with protected characteristics disadvantaged by reforms, risking rise in NEET.
The Department’s equalities impact assessment identifies that some students with protected characteristics may be disadvantaged by the reforms as they may no longer be able to progress to a level 3 qualification. We heard that this could result in a … Read more
Government Response
The government justified its reforms to Level 3 qualifications, citing low enrolments in existing programs and better university outcomes for A Levels compared to BTECs. It did not address the committee's concern about the unclear number of students who might be disadvantaged by the reforms or the specific equality impact.
Department for Education
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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