‘Disadvantaging thousands’ – post-16 qualification reforms confirmed

Following a public consultation on the future of post-16 qualifications, the government has published a response document confirming that A Levels, T Levels and apprenticeships are to be the main pathways for students after GCSEs.

Within the music education community, concerns previously raised about the proposed reforms included the likely defunding of Level 3 vocational qualifications such as BTECs and Cambridge Technicals, as well as the current lack of a T Level in music or performing arts. 

The 68-page response features feedback from 1,345 sources, including 527 teachers, after the deadline for responses was pushed back by two weeks in January. Within the document, the government makes clear that they want to bring about ‘substantive change’ that ‘offers clear progression pathways for students’. 

Concern has been growing in the education sector, as made clear by Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, who said: ‘The proposals set out [yesterday] have the potential to be hugely damaging to the prospects and life chances of young people in England. 

‘It is clear that the government intends to sweep away the vast majority of applied general qualifications like BTECs, and students will only have the option to study A Levels or T Levels from the age of 16. But for many young people, studying a BTEC qualification will be a much more effective route to higher education or skilled employment.’

Chris Walters at the Musicians’ Union makes this clear in a column for MT’s March issue: ‘There are no plans to include music in any of the proposed T Level subject areas. The closest to music will be ‘Media, Broadcast and Production’, which is not due to start until at least September 2022. This is an oversight – there is a strong case for music production to be included in T Levels.

‘If we are left with only AS/A levels and T Levels at post-16, it could be very bad news for music. This adds up to frustratingly few options for music students, which will have serious ripple effects for higher education and access to careers.’

The government has said it will not provide a list of the qualifications or the subjects that will be funded in the future; there is currently no replacement T Level in Music or Performing Arts. Of those who responded to the survey, 59 per cent thought ‘the Institute should create additional T Levels for pathways and occupations featured on occupational maps at level 3’, including performing arts. 

Apprehension has increased in the education sector, as shown by a plea from chief executive of the Association of Colleges, David Hughes, who has urged the government to reconsider its plan to defund qualifications. Hughes said: ‘If the government really wants to level up, it needs to slow down this major reform and recognise the risks to thousands of young people. 

‘Working with colleges, this reform would be a success, so it is difficult to see why the Department for Education is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.’ 

‘We urge DfE to take a moment, work with the college sector, and create a new rollout plan that ensures T Levels are a success, while not inadvertently disadvantaging thousands of already disadvantaged students with their quest for speed.’

As Hughes makes clear, a number of individuals in the education sector believe that more time for the implementation of T Levels and the removal of funding is needed, with 80 per cent of consultation respondents suggesting there are ‘other considerations’ that the government needs to investigate before implementing these changes. 

To read the full government response, visit their website.