SCORE has published its response to the Ofqual consultation on A-levels in England

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SCORE, the group of organisations that works together to improve science education in UK schools and colleges, has published its response to the Ofqual consultation on A-levels in England.

Ofqual asked for views on the structure and assessment arrangements of A-levels, including the abolition of January exams, limiting re-sits and outline plans for universities to determine the content of the qualifications.

The response by SCORE 'strongly supports' greater involvement of higher education on A-level design, but 'considers the only feasible way of achieving this properly and transparently is through the establishment of national subject committees.' SCORE welcome the removal of January exams. They also agree with the need to tackle the re-sit culture and suggest a larger weighting for the A2 component 'to reflect the fact that students have acquired a deeper learning and understanding in the subject after a further year of study.'

The report states their view that all new A-levels should be introduced together and not in phases, but emphasises that 'it is simply not possible to produce new A-level examinations for 2014.'

The full response can be downloaded from the SCORE website.