Examination of Witnesses (Questions 20-23)
MR DAVID
WOODS AND
MR LESLIE
ASHE
19 MAY 2004
Q20 Mr Pound: Thank you very much indeed.
The Report mentions the work being undertaken by the Working Group
on 14-19 Reform, this is particularly to do with qualifications.
Does the Department envisage a fundamental reform in the qualifications
framework?
Mr Woods: I will answer that because,
for my sins, I am also responsible for the curriculum.
Q21 Mr Pound: Your sins must have been
great!
Mr Woods: So I am discovering,
yes. We are certainly watching closely what is emerging from the
Tomlinson Review and certainly what has emerged so far in terms
of the breadth and choice of provision and the mix between vocational
and academic and so on seems to be very much in tune with the
line which the Costello Report was advocating. The Tomlinson Report
applies only to England. Strictly speaking, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland are not directly within its terms of reference.
In the Northern Ireland context we obviously will have to look
at what the ultimate recommendations are from Tomlinson if only
to ensure that whatever is on offer in Northern Ireland schools
has common currency for those of our young people who may wish
to study or come to work in GB. Our colleagues in the Department
of Employment and Learning have recently published a review of
further education and we see the need to bring the strands of
both of those reviews together with the aim of having a much more
coherent 14-19 strategy straddling both the school and FE sectors
so that all young people in that age range have access to a coherent
suite of provision that meets their needs.
Q22 Mr Pound: So it could actually include
a reassessment of GCSEs and A'levels?
Mr Woods: Nothing is impossible.
It is not actively on our agenda at this stage if only because
we have lots of other things on our agenda. We will wait to see
what comes out of the Tomlinson Report and then, of course, the
Government will have to reach its own view as to whether to proceed
with those recommendations and within what timescale and we will
then have to judge our own position accordingly.
Q23 Mr Pound: A fair point, well made.
May I thank you very much indeed for the expertise and the way
in which you have been so open with us this afternoon.
Mr Woods: Thank you, Mr Pound.
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