RISHI Sunak has axed A-Levels and set out plans for pupils to study English and maths until 18.
The Prime Minister has announced an education shake-up that will also include a new qualification combining A-Levels and T levels – named the “Advanced British Standard”.
Rishi Sunak speaking during the Conservative Party Conference today
PAPupils will study English and maths under new plans set out by the Prime Minister[/caption]
The shake-up will see students study five subjects rather than three as part of their post-16 education system.
Schools and colleges will be handed bonuses up to £30,000 to attract and retain teachers.
Mr Sunak told the Conservative Party conference: “We will introduce the new rigorous, knowledge-rich Advanced British Standard, which will bring together A-levels and T-levels into a new single qualification for our school leavers.”
He added: “First, this will finally deliver on the promise of parity of esteem between academic and technical education. Because all students will sit the Advanced British Standard.
“Second, we will raise the floor ensuring that our children leave school literate and numerate because with the Advanced British Standard all students will study some form of maths and English to 18 with extra help for those who struggle most. In our country no child should be left behind.”
The Prime Minister also said students in sixth-forms and colleges will spend more time in the classroom under the Advanced British Standard.
In a thread of tweets posted as he made the announcement, No.10 said: “We’re creating a new, combined single qualification. The Advanced British Standard brings together the very best of A levels and T levels.
“This is a long-term reform that will take time to get right and extra funding to deliver.”
The PM set out that every pupil will now spend 195 additional hours with a teacher, as well as studying a broader range of subjects.
He added: “Our new plan will require more teachers in the coming years.
“So to attract and retain teachers, those who teach key subjects in both schools and further education colleges will receive new special bonuses of up to £30,000 tax-free over their first five years.
“My main funding priority in every spending review from now on will be education. It is the best economic policy, the best social policy, and the best moral policy.
“It is the best way to spread opportunity and create a more prosperous society.”
The PM has for months had his sights on combating high rates of innumeracy in England.
The UK remains one of the only countries in the world that does not require children to study some form of maths up to the age of 18.
It comes as Mr Sunak has launched a fierce fightback by rallying his Tory troops during a conference speech packed with major announcements today – including a ban on smoking.
The PM is mounting an historic crackdown on cigarettes by raising the legal age every year until there are no smokers left.
He said his plans would mean a 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette.
The tough new anti-smoking measures would see the smoking age increased by a year every year to eventually make it illegal for anyone to buy cigarettes.
The PM received a standing ovation as he finished his speech in Manchester this afternoon, having spoken for an hour and four minutes.
PAThe PM made a number of announcements during his conference speech today[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
