Replacing A-levels 'risks disaster'

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Diplomas combining practical skills and theory will undermine educational standards and fail to prepare teenagers for university or work, the study said.

The report, from the University of Buckingham, warned that diplomas were being imposed on schools in a rush before teachers were ready.

It called on ministers to keep A-levels and allow pupils a choice of different courses.

The first five diplomas in media, health, construction, IT and engineering will be taught to 20,000 teenagers from September. Another 12 diplomas will follow.

Ministers believe the diplomas could replace A-levels as "the qualification of choice" for 14-19 year-olds who want to train for work or go to university.

But the report, by Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson, said: "Although the Government has not declared its hand, it seems clear that the intention is to replace A-levels, GCSEs, BTECs and other qualifications with just one award, the diploma."

Schools Minister Jim Knight rejected the study, which he described as "one-sided carping".

"The diploma has garnered widespread backing from employers, universities, schools, colleges and education experts," Mr Knight said.

Ministers have promised to review secondary school qualifications in 2013 and have refused to guarantee that A-levels and GCSEs will survive the review. In the meantime, diplomas will compete with the traditional exams for popularity among pupils.