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Edited by datspreets - 27 January 2007 at 8:28am

A-levels and GCSEs 'too easy'

Pupils are not being stretched intellectually A deputy headmaster of a 9,800-a-year independent school has claimed GCSEs and A-levels are "too easy" and not "stretching" pupils intellectually. Richard Cairns, of Magdalen College School in Oxfordshire, made the comment after 83 of the boys who sat English and Maths GCSE gained A* or A grades. He believes the results show the difficulty universities face choosing between the best candidates. In September Mr Cairns will become headmaster at Brighton College. Pupils are piling on more subjects rather than trying to stretch themselves by doing something different and challenging Richard Cairns, deputy head of Magdalen College Mr Cairns said: "GCSEs and A-levels are just too easy, I'm afraid. "Pupils are thinking they need to do more and more in order to differentiate themselves from others so they are piling on more subjects rather than trying to stretch themselves by doing something different and challenging. "It's like building 15 roads rather than building a bridge. They are not being stretched intellectually." He believes the Government is failing the top 5% of school pupils with A-Level and GCSE courses encouraging quantity of study rather than quality. This summer's results at Magdalen College also revealed no grades fell below A for the boys who took German, Greek, Spanish, religious studies, chemistry and geography. 'Talent squandered' Mr Cairns added: "These are obviously very pleasing results for the boys at Magdalen, many of whom have worked very hard, but they also demonstrate why we can no longer depend on GCSE or A-Level examiners to stretch and challenge our most able students. "It is effectively left to individual schools to provide the extra intellectual stimulation that bright teenagers demand. "But some schools are much better placed than others to offer this extra dimension. "Some very clever boys and girls from academically deprived backgrounds are doubtless missing out, their talent squandered. "There is, in my view, a stronger case than ever for the state to support scholars at leading independent schools, selected on the basis of academic ability and genuine financial need."

 

Link - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/4182212.stm

Edited by radha07 - 27 January 2007 at 8:27am

The World's Best Students Celebrated in Cyprus  (21/12/2006)

Edexcel's best students in Cyprus and the world were honoured at this year's annual High Achiever Awards Ceremony held in Limassol on 18th December.

Coming from all over Cyprus, the students met world famous fashion designer Fani Xenophontos for the presentation of their awards for GCSEs, IGCSEs, O Levels and A Levels in a wide range of subjects.  In all, 127 students received 145 awards – 83 of them for the Highest International Subject Mark.

"This is an amazing accomplishment," said Jane Holliday, Edexcel's resident Regional Development Manager, "particularly when you consider how small Cyprus is and that Edexcel's qualifications are offered in about 100 countries world-wide.  I'm absolutely delighted for every one of these students – and, of course, their parents and teachers who do so much to support them in their studies."

Edexcel would like to thank the British Council for their role in providing access to Edexcel's examinations to private candidates in Cyprus and their invaluable help in organising the awards ceremony.

Pictures from the Awards Ceremony can be downloaded here.

Photos

Richard Walker, Director British Council

Fani Xenophontos, Fashion Designer

The English School string quartet playing during ceremony

An award winner

Group photo of award winners

Link :- http://europe-americas.edexcel.org.uk/home/news/worldsbest.h tm?


Edited by Pensacola.S_02 - 30 January 2007 at 5:00am

Edited by Pensacola.S_02 - 30 January 2007 at 5:08am

Students from Kenya Visit Edexcel  (08/08/2006)

A group of students from St Patrick's Senior School in Kenya visited the London offices of Edexcel as part of a trip to the United Kingdom recently. The school had just completed its first year as an Edexcel centre and the director of the school, Mrs Ella Kangethe, wanted the students to see the headquarters of the organisation that was responsible for marking their examination scripts. The students were amazed to hear that Edexcel was currently trialling a programme to send students their results via their computers.

The photograph shows Mrs Kangethe with students from St Patrick's Senior School and Dr David Davies, Edexcel's Global Relationship Manager.


Link :-http://meaf.edexcel.org.uk/home/news/kenya.htm?


Edited by Pensacola.S_02 - 30 January 2007 at 5:14am

Edexcel Holds Award Ceremony for Schools in Sri Lanka  (04/10/2006)

[left] Linda Sykes, International Operations Manager at Edexcel making a presentation to the Minister of Education for Sri Lanka, with Premila Canisious, Edexcel's Regional Development Manager in the background

Edexcel held a very successful Award Ceremony for schools in Sri Lanka in August. The ceremony was held to recognise the outstanding achievements of students in Sri Lanka in Edexcel GCE A levels, O levels and IGCSEs. Some students had achieved as many as Five As at A level and the students' results as a whole were amongst the highest in the world. 'This is an outstanding achievement,' said Linda Sykes, International Operations Manager, who attended the ceremony on behalf of Edexcel. 'It shows that students from Sri Lanka are among the highest achievers in the world and it is a tribute to the hard work of the students and the outstanding support they receive from their headteachers, teachers and parents.' Linda also paid tribute to the hard work and support of the British Council's examinations staff in administering Edexcel examinations in Sri Lanka.

[left] Duncan Wilson, Acting Director, British Council, Sri Lanka, Premila Canisious, Edexcel Regional Development Manager, the Minister of Education for Sri Lanka, Panchalika Kulatunge, Examinations Officer, British Council , Sri Lanka, Ishan Siddique, Edexcel Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Linda Sykes, International Operations Manager watching a display by traditional Sri Lankan dancers.

Edited by Pensacola.S_02 - 30 January 2007 at 5:56am

Twintech Sarawak gets LAN accreditation for courses  (25/04/2006)

Photo: Azri Nor Abdul Rahman (second left) presenting the accreditation certificate to D. Ismail Md Salleh, witnessed by Edexcel International Regional Manager, Au Yong Soon Kok, (left) and Director of Bradford Business School United Kingdom, David Canavan.

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KUCHING: Twinteach Sarawak yesterday received the accreditation from the National Accreditation Board (LAN) for its BTEC-Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business and BTEC-Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computing Programme.

The certification presentation ceremony was held at the Hilton here.  On hand to receive the accreditation certificate from Twinteach's Chief Executive, Azri Nor Abdul Rahman was the Chairman of Twintech Sarawak College, Professor Datuk Dr. Ismail Md Salleh.

Though it is not compulsory for private higher educational institutions in the country to obtain accreditation for a course of study, Twinteach Sarawak has long aimed for accreditation to reflect its strong commitment in providing quality education.

This is in line with Twintech Sarawak's aspiration to be highly visible and recognised for its quality and industry relevant business and computing programmes at diploma levels for students residing in east Malaysia and the region, said Dr. Ismail.

The certification is also a reflection of excellence in quality with their partner for BTEC-Higher National Diploma in Business programme, that is Bradford College, United Kingdom, an associate college of the University of Bradford, he added.

The stakeholders can be rest assured of the competitive advantage to be affiliated with the BTEC-Higher National Diploma in Business Programme offered by Twintech.

Students being the most prominent stakeholders are assured of quality in the curriculum, the teaching and support staff and the accreditation also allows for credit transfer to be made when the students are accepted into public universities in the country.

Students studying the course are also qualified to apply for financial aid and scholarships, particularly from government agencies.  Twintech Sarawak is also an approved loan centre for Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi National (PTPTN) and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).

Graduates of the accredited course area also qualified for employment in the public sector as LAN is recognised by the Malaysian Public Service Department (JPA).

For more :- www.edexcel.org.uk


Edited by Pensacola.S_02 - 30 January 2007 at 6:09am

Jim Knight: quality the priority with new qualifications

The government sees A-levels continuing beyond 2013 in England alongside its new Diplomas, a minister has confirmed.

Schools Minister Jim Knight told MPs he saw a future for the A-level within a "three-pronged offer" for youngsters.

But existing vocational qualifications would then "wither on the vine" as the partially academic Diplomas took over.

Members of the Commons education select committee had asked him how much of the Tomlinson report - on replacing current qualifications - was being implemented.

The first five Diplomas are being taught from September 2008, building up to 14 Diplomas in different employment-related areas by 2013 across the country.

'T word'

Committee chairman Barry Sheerman teased Mr Knight about the Diplomas' origins in the government-commissioned inquiry into 14 to 19 learning by the former chief inspector of schools, Sir Mike Tomlinson.

"What about the T word, minister?"

"Ah, him," said Mr Knight.

He said the government was implementing a large number of Tomlinson's recommendations, but not "other large areas".

He was however "delighted" Sir Mike was now going to be one of the official "Diploma champions" who would be publicising them once the details were finalised.

Mr Sheerman said some people described the new Diplomas as really "a stepping stone to Tomlinson".

The minister said: "I still see a future for the A-level.

"I think we have got a good offer in the entitlement in 2013, a three-pronged offer":

• the traditional vocational route, with the expansion of apprenticeships
• the traditional academic route with GCSEs, A-levels and the International Baccalaureate
• Diplomas "in the middle", building on the strengths of both.

Mr Knight said it was part of the national psyche to think that "vocational" was for "people who are less able".

But evidence showed learners were better motivated if they could see the practical application in the real world of what they were being taught. Diplomas would be both vocational and academic.

He was asked if he saw them replacing other vocational qualifications such as BTecs.

"I guess I would say to you that over time the others would wither on the vine as the Diplomas win the argument, really," he said.

'Ran scared'

Labour MP Jeff Ennis asked why the government had not seized on the widespread support Tomlinson had accumulated.

Mr Knight said he was not in the government at the time.

"I can only presume that the decision was made that the A-level was something that people were familiar with and confident with and should be retained," he said.

Mr Sheerman said the "word on the street" was that the government "ran scared" of the employers' organisation the CBI - but that was "water under the bridge".

Numbers

Mr Knight said the government's priority was that the first Diploma courses should be high quality.

He said 361 consortia - local partnerships of schools, colleges and other organisations - had applied to run Diplomas. Initial impressions were that the quality was very good.

He did not want to quote likely student numbers lest they be seen as a target.

The 50,000 in the first year that had been mentioned was "a ballpark figure".

Jon Coles, director of the 14-19 reform group at the Department for Education and Skills, sitting alongside Mr Knight, said that if all 361 consortia were approved there could be 160,000 youngsters involved.

Edited by Pensacola.S_02 - 01 February 2007 at 2:36am