TEACHING bosses in Bournemouth have added their voices to national calls for a revamp of the A-level system, after it was claimed that this year's marks would probably be the best ever.

Education experts are predicting that the results out on Thursday, August 18 will see a pass rate of nearly 97 per cent, higher than last summer's record.

In response, head teachers and teaching unions say it is now time to do away with A-levels and replace them with diplomas to give a more accurate picture of a teenager's strengths and weaknesses to universities, colleges, and would-be employers.

Criticisms that A-levels are getting easier resurface every year. In 1982 the pass rate was 68.2 per cent.

Sid Willcocks, Dorset representative of teaching union NAHT, said: "Results are getting better and better and there needs to be radical reform of A-levels. Now would be an opportune time to do so.

"Diplomas would be more acceptable to both schools and universities because we need something that would be in line with what is already in existence in the European Union."

Pam Orchard, secretary of the Bournemouth Secondary Heads Association, said: "We have for a long time supported a reform of the exams in this country as set out in Tomlinson's proposals."

But she does not agree that a rise in standards equals easier A-levels.

"The exams are different, not easier. Some of the people who breezed through A-levels in years gone by would not so do today.

"They are set up and marked differently and the students today also complete coursework. They work damn hard to get the marks they achieve."

She says A-level students today receive far better support and advice than in the past, and have a greater range of subjects to choose from.

"Unless they are going to succeed they don't even start them in the first place," said Mrs Orchard.

Catch a full round up of local students' A-level achievements in the Daily Echo on Friday, August 19.

First published: August 17, 2005