Rishi Sunak ‘planning A-level overhaul to establish British Baccalaureate’

The changes would see English and maths become compulsory until the age of 18. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to overhaul A levels which could include a new style of British Baccalaureate.

The changes would see English and maths become compulsory until the age of 18, while pupils would be required to study a wider array of subjects in post-16 education, The Times and The Telegraph reported.

The prime minister has previously said all pupils in England should study some form of maths up to the age of 18, criticising a “cultural sense that it’s OK to be bad at maths”.

A Department for Education spokesperson said in a statement: “Since 2010 we have made huge progress in driving up school standards and giving young people the best start in life, with record funding for schools and more full-time teachers than ever before.

Rishi Sunak to set out ‘maths to 18’ plan in first speech of the year
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson called the plan an ‘undeliverable gimmick’ Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA

“We have already taken steps to reform the post-16 qualifications landscape, including reforming technical education and delivering millions of new high-quality apprenticeships.

“Alongside this, we have set out bold plans to ensure that every young person studies some form of maths up to the age of 18 to give them the skills they need to succeed in the jobs of the future”.

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson called the plan an “undeliverable gimmick”.

Speaking on BBC’s Newsnight, Ms Phillipson said: “This is just the latest undeliverable gimmick from a weak Prime Minister and a dying Conservative government with no serious plan for improving standards of education for young people.

“Rishi Sunak should be focusing on long term plans to improve literacy and numeracy in younger children, not pursuing short term headlines with this unworkable policy, which will do nothing to raise standards.

“Labour will be focusing on how we lay strong foundations for high and rising standards in our schools and deliver a major review of curriculum and assessment from government, as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.”

It comes after Mr Sunak this week announced the watering down of a host of pledges designed to help the UK reach net zero in 2050.

Both moves are said to be an attempt to draw a clear dividing line between his Conservative Party and Labour ahead of a likely general election next year.

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