Sunak qualification will replace A-levels and T-levels

By Julia Bryson and Branwen JeffreysBBC News

A-levels and T-levels will be replaced by a new qualification for all school leavers in England.

All 16 to 19-year-olds will typically study five subjects as part of the new Advanced British Standard, including some English and maths to 18.

However, it will be years before the qualification is in place and the first students to take it will be those currently just starting primary school.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said more teachers would be recruited to help.

One of the most striking aspects of the proposed changes is students would be able to combine both academic and vocational elements, with typically three major and two minor aspects.

They would include maths and English up to the age of 18, bringing England more in line with international standards where subjects are not narrowed down.

Mr Sunak said boosting education was "the closest thing we have to a silver bullet" as it was "the best economic policy, the best social policy, the best moral policy".

The new baccalaureate-style qualification would bring together the best of A-levels and vocational T-levels into a single new qualification, he told the Conservative Party conference, in Manchester.

"Rigorous" and "knowledge-rich", it would put technical and academic education on an equal footing and ensure all young people left school knowing the basics in maths and English, with extra help for those who struggled.

"In our country, no child should be left behind," Mr Sunak said.

He added that 16 to 19-year-olds spent "around a third less time in the classroom than some of our competitors", and that had to change.

He said under the proposals, students would spend at least 195 hours more with a teacher, and to reflect this revealed how he planned to bring in and keep a greater workforce.

"In order to attract and retain more teachers, those who teach key subjects in schools - and, for the first time, in our further-education colleges too - will receive special bonuses of up to £30,000, tax-free, over the first five years of their career.

"Our teachers do one of the most valuable jobs in our society and we should reward them for that."

Mr Sunak promised an additional £600m over two years to increase training of maths teachers, and funding for those studying for compulsory GCSE resits in colleges in maths and English.

Bursaries are already offered in some secondary subjects because there is a significant shortfall in the numbers starting secondary school teacher training.

The plans will go to consultation, with possible implementation around 2033-34.

Current post-16 students will continue to have the option of A-levels and the new T-levels, which are equivalent to three A-levels.

Education policy is devolved, so the changes only apply to England.

Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Geoff Barton said: "While the principles of these proposals are good, the practicalities are daunting because of the severity of the teacher recruitment and retention crisis."

He said the plan for bonus payments would not be anywhere near enough, and teacher shortages were widespread.

"This problem requires a much broader strategy to improve pay, conditions and education funding," he said.

"Without this commitment, the prime minister's plans for an Advanced British Standard are likely to prove a pipe dream."

National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Paul Whiteman said there had been "no meaningful engagement" with the profession ahead of the announcement.

"Once again, there is a sense that ministers in Whitehall think they know better than the teachers and leaders working with pupils on a daily basis," he said.

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