![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/rishi-sunak-considers-radical-shake-up-of-a-levels/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/131231812_gettyimages-525409415.jpg&description=Image source, EPA Image caption, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering a new baccalaureate qualification to rival A-levels Rishi Sunak is considering reform of the school system in England which could see the introduction of a new "British baccalaureate". The prime minister's plans could include the compulsory study of maths and English up to the age of 18, according to newspaper reports. The shake-up of A-levels would be controversial - but no final decision has been taken. Labour said the proposals were an "undeliverable gimmick". The government has denied that Mr Sunak is trying to find radical proposals which will help his party in the polls, with No 10 saying this week that the prime minister is focused on long-term solutions. Mr Sunak initially suggested the idea of a new baccalaureate qualification during his unsuccessful leadership campaign against Liz Truss last year, and has previously said he wants all young people to study maths to 18. It is possible the prime minister will set out more of his plans for education at the Conservative Party conference in October. About half of 18-year-olds in England currently take A-levels, typically sitting exams in three subjects. In 2021, the EDSK education think tank said the dominance of A-levels in secondary education was "inescapable" and that they were too narrow, calling for a new baccalaureate qualification to replace them. In theory, it would broaden the curriculum to cover any academic, applied and technical subject which students could gradually specialise in over the course of a three-year qualification. Education is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so decisions in each nation are taken by devolved governments. The proposal for England is being called a "British baccalaureate" to differentiate it from the current English baccalaureate , which is a separate set of subjects at GCSE level. Any educational reform in England would be controversial, and concerns have already been raised about){kind=link}
Rishi Sunak is considering reform of the school system in England which could see the introduction of a new “British baccalaureate”.
The prime minister’s plans could include the compulsory study of maths and English up to the age of 18, according to newspaper reports.
The shake-up of A-levels would be controversial – but no final decision has been taken.
Labour said the proposals were an “undeliverable gimmick”.
The government has denied that Mr Sunak is trying to find radical proposals which will help his party in the polls, with No 10 saying this week that the prime minister is focused on long-term solutions.