Responding to the govenrment’s announcement that plans to introduce an Advanced British Standard (ABS) will be scrapped, Sam Tuckett, Associate Director for post-16 and skills at the Education Policy Institute (EPI), said:
“There were some well discussed delivery challenges and costs associated with the Advanced British Standard (ABS), most notably teaching maths and English to all students up until the age of 18.
“From a purely economic perspective, it is clear to see why the government has decided not to go ahead with this major reform. However, it is crucial that the government does not lose sight of some of the key issues facing the 16-19 phase that elements of the ABS looked to address.
“EPI research shows that increased breadth of study is associated with better employment outcomes, yet England has one of the narrowest 16-19 curricula in the developed world. The reviewed curricula under the ABS promised greater breadth of study, while bringing academic and vocational programmes together into a single model would have a been a good step towards the parity which the system lacks.
“A complete overhaul of the system is not the only, or necessarily desirable way to bring about improvements. Now the government has set out that the ABS will not go ahead, we instead need details on how they do intend to address the issues in the system. Most notably in terms of support for disadvantaged students, the future of English and maths study and resits, and how they will ensure the post 16 offer equips all students, regardless of background, with the skills they need to succeed when they leave the final stage of compulsory education.”
