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
10 results
Clear
10 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Publish fast-tracked destination data for the first cohort of T Level students
The Department must publish data on the education, apprenticeship, and employment destinations for the first cohort of T Level students at the earliest opportunity. While Department destination measures are usually published two years following the completion of 16–18 study, we … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects fast-tracking destination data for T Level students, stating it is not possible due to the complex data matching process required, which would result in incomplete information. They confirm that data is already made available at the earliest opportunity, with the first cohort's survey findings due in late 2023/early 2024.
Department for Education
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30 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Reinstate the £1,000 T Level placement incentive for small, medium, and micro businesses.
Up until July 2022, employers could claim £1,000 for every T Level industry placement. The Department must reinstate this incentive for small and medium enterprises, and microbusinesses, in order to facilitate their participation with T Levels. (Paragraph 104) The future … Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly rejects reinstating the employer incentive fund, stating it was a short-term COVID-19 response and not a sustainable model. Instead, it highlights the recently launched £12m Employer Support Fund designed to compensate employers for placement costs.
Department for Education
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31 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Reforms risk inadvertently narrowing opportunities for young people's progression and success.
We welcome the Department’s ambition to simplify and declutter the post-16 landscape by tackling the 5,000 plus qualifications at level 3 and below with low or no enrolments. This will create a system that is clearer and easier to navigate, … Read more
Government Response
The government explains the rationale behind its post-16 education reforms, stating it has already streamlined qualifications and removed funding from courses overlapping with T Levels. It expresses confidence that these reforms will increase outcomes and provide necessary skills, thus rejecting the concern that they risk narrowing opportunities.
Department for Education
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34 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Applied General Qualifications play crucial role in promoting social mobility distinct from T Levels.
T Levels are a rigorous technical qualification which will offer the ideal pathway for many students, but they will not be the right choice for all learners. Applied General Qualifications serve a distinct and different purpose to T Levels, and … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the committee's view on the distinct purpose and social mobility role of Applied General Qualifications. It stated that many existing qualifications have low enrolments, are not employer-led, and are less effective than A Levels for university progression, reiterating its commitment to reforms.
Department for Education
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36 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Require robust T Level success and placement capacity before scrapping further Applied General Qualifications
The ability of businesses to offer sufficient, high-quality industry placements, and a clear track record of T Level success as well as evidenced improvement in equalities outcomes, should be prerequisites to scrapping further Applied General Qualifications on the basis of … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the idea of making employer placement success and improved equality outcomes prerequisites for scrapping further Applied General Qualifications. It instead detailed ongoing initiatives, including a £12m employer support fund and new services, aimed at strengthening T Level placements and ensuring their success.
Department for Education
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37 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Introduce moratorium on defunding Applied General Qualifications until T Levels prove superior effectiveness
The Department must place a moratorium on defunding Applied General Qualifications. Tried and tested Applied General Qualifications should only be withdrawn as and when there is a robust evidence base proving that T Levels are demonstrably more effective in preparing … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to place a moratorium on defunding Applied General Qualifications. It reiterated its rationale for reforming Level 3 qualifications, stating that many existing programs have low enrolments, are not employer-led, and are less effective than A Levels for university progression.
Department for Education
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41 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Successful IB Careers Programme faces unwarranted defunding despite strong student progression outcomes
The IB Careers Programme (IBCP) is a broad and flexible post-16 qualification, enabling students to acquire a valuable blend of academic, vocational and employability skills. The IBCP prepares students effectively for a range of progression opportunities. A destinations survey for … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the committee's assertion, stating it has not said it will withdraw funding for the IB Career Related Programme (CRP). It clarifies that it will continue to fund the IB Diploma and explains how different components of the CRP could still be approved for funding if they meet published criteria.
Department for Education
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42 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Revisit decision to withdraw funding for IB Careers Programme or prove replacement's superiority
The Department must revisit its decision to withdraw funding for the IB Careers Programme. It should continue to fund this rigorous and accessible qualification, or provide evidence that any replacement will generate improved outcomes.
Government Response
The government rejected the premise of the recommendation by stating it has not decided to withdraw funding for the IB Careers Programme. It clarified that components of the programme could continue to be funded if they meet new qualification criteria for alternative academic qualifications.
Department for Education
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43 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
England's upper secondary education curriculum remains internationally narrow and specialised
Whereas many other countries insist on students covering a broad and balanced curriculum up to age 18, England is an international outlier in the narrowness of its upper secondary education. The average number of A levels taken by a student … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the premise of narrow post-16 education, stating it is already delivering reforms for a breadth of high-quality options, including A Levels, T Levels (with scope for an additional A level), and apprenticeships. It also highlights the Prime Minister's mission for all young people to study maths to age 18.
Department for Education
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44 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - The future of post-…
Establish expert panel to review baccalaureate model and wholesale 16-19 funding for broader education
A baccalaureate model offers a broad and ambitious curriculum, enabling students to develop skills and knowledge across a wide range of disciplines. It also places important emphasis on holistic, extracurricular learning. Whilst there is little appetite for a major system … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to establish an independent expert panel to review a baccalaureate model, stating it is already delivering reforms to ensure high-quality options and defending its current post-16 specialisation approach. It also rejected a wholesale review of 16-19 funding, stating it would continue to keep funding under review and highlighted existing support for disadvantaged students.
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