Diplomas aren't the answer, claims head

John Marincowitz, headmaster of Queen Elizabeth's Boys' school in Barnet, backed A-levels and warned that the proposed diplomas would fail to stretch the top fifth of pupils.

But he said the school could switch to another course being developed at Cambridge if it proves a better preparation for university.

Dr Marincowitz was speaking after record A-level pass-rates reignited concerns that the "gold" standard of A-levels has been dumbed down.

One academic warned the exams were "in crisis" as they were almost impossible to fail, while elite universities turned away thousands of straight-A students.

From next month, ministers are introducing a new range of school diplomas combining theory with compulsory work experience. The Government believes they could replace A-levels but Dr Marincowitz said he had no confidence in them.

"We don't feel that they are going to have the intellectual challenge that will convince university admissions tutors of their stretch and the pace of learning required of a preparation for university," he said.

The danger is that diplomas will fail the least academic 20 per cent of pupils because they lack a "real vocational element", while also failing to stretch the brightest 20 per cent, he said.

This year 96 per cent of boys at Queen Elizabeth's scored As or Bs in their Alevels, making it the highest performing school in the Standard's league table. But Dr Marincowitz criticised the grade "inflation" that has compromised the reputation of A-levels.

"Successive governments have been compelled to demonstrate the success of their policies and it seems as though inflation has occurred in A-level grades so that the number of top grades now makes it very difficult for university admissions tutors," he said.

"But A-levels are a tried and tested route to university. They have been operational for decades, they have international standing, they have credence with employers. What has gone wrong in the recent past is the assessment. The Government's promise of harder questions and a new A* will help."

Dr Marincowitz said the school would consider the new Cambridge Pre-U exam, which involves a return to final exams after two years of study, instead of the modular A-level system.