A World-Class Education System: The Advanced British Standard Consultation

At the Conservative Party Conference in October 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that A-Levels and T-Levels would be replaced by a new qualification for all school leavers in England. The Advanced British Standard proposes a Baccalaureate-style qualification that will combine ‘the best’ of A-Levels and T-Levels to provide a qualification that puts academic and technical education on an equal footing. 

Following this announcement, the Department for Education launched a consultation on the design of the new qualification on the 14th of December 2023.  As part of the consultation, the Department for Education is running a series of roadshows around England to gather information from a variety of perspectives. 

The roadshows consisted of three breakout discussions: Programme Design (programmes, levels, hours, and components); Level 2 and 3 ABS Subjects and Enrichment, Employability and Pastoral (EEP) Activities; and lastly, English and maths. 

What needs to change:

• One quarter of young people have not achieved the equivalent of a standard pass in their GCSE English and maths by age 19. 
• Our 16-19 year-olds study fewer subjects than their international counterparts. 
• Our 16-19 year old students get approximately a third less teaching time than some other countries.
• There are too many qualifications, making it confusing to decide between them. 
• Technical routes are still less well-understood than traditional academic pathways.

What is proposed:

• A single high-quality qualifications framework.
• More time with a teacher, closing the gap with international counterparts. 
• All students taking English and maths to 18. 
• A simple menu of all subjects can choose from. 
• A greater breadth of study.

Proposed Programme Design

The ABS will be taken by by 16-19 year-old students from state-funded schools and FE providers in England. The ABS will be taken by students who would currently take Level 3 programmes (such as A Levels, T Levels or Alternative Academic Qualifications). The DfE is also exploring what options would look like for students at Level 2, and Level 1 and below (Level 1 is equivalent to GCSE grades 3,2,1).

All students will study a combination of major and minor subjects, including English and maths to 18, and participate in EEP activities. The programme will also be designed to support students with varying levels of prior attainment and unique individual circumstances.

Level 3: Advanced British Standard & Advanced British Standard (Occupational).

Students will have the choice to choose from either the Advanced British Standard or the Advanced British Standard (occupational). Both programmes will typically take two years to complete. Once completed, students will typically transition to further study at Level 4 and above (including HE), skilled employment or an apprenticeship. 

Students will receive more guided learning hours (GLH) than the current 1,280 average, with a minimum of 1,475 GLH over the course of their ABS. 

Advanced British Standard

This programme will be for students working at Level 3 who want to develop the knowledge and skills that will leave a range of future progression options open to them. These students will study:

• A minimum of three majors at Level 3 in subjects that directly support progression into employment, apprenticeships or further study at Levels 4-6. These will be based on content drawn from A Levels, T level core content and subject approved to be offered as AAQs. 
• A minimum of two minors at Level 3 in subjects different to the majors that offer further knowledge and skills.
• Maths and English at either major or minor level, introducing flexibility for the minority of students for whom achieving a Level 2 standard in English or maths is more appropriate. 
• EEP activities over the course of the ABS will support students skill development and personal growth. 
• If students with prior high attainment wish to, they may choose to replace one of their minors with an additional major or take an additional minor. 

Advanced British Standard (occupational)

This programme is designed for those at Level 3 who are clear they want to specialise in one subject area and are prepared for direct employment in an occupational specialist area, apprenticeships or further study at Levels 4-6. It is anticipated that this course will have a higher total number of hours at around 1,725 hours. Students will study: 

• One major at Level 3 in a core subject directly focused on their chosen sector. These subjects will directly support progression and be based on subjects covered by T Levels (or other approved to be offered as AAQs). Providers may choose to start by teaching the major and then proceed onto a double major. 
• One double major at Level 3 in a specialism related to the core subject that will support progression into skilled employment or further specialist study.
• Two minors in maths and English. 
• Students who selected a double major which develops and assesses occupational entry competence will need to complete an industry placement in the relevant employment sector. Some students will not have to complete an industry placement (e.g. those preparing for specialist HE courses)
• EEP activities to support students with skill development and personal growth. 

Level 2 students will:

• Receive the same amount of hours as students taking Level 3 programmes. 
• Study English and maths – students will be required to continue studying towards either GCSE or FSQs in English and maths where they have not secured a GCSE pass. The ABS will guarantee all students study English and maths at least at a minor size over the course of their teaching programme. 
• Study a breadth and depth of subjects appropriate enough to enable them to progress. Subjects will not be structured or sized as majors and minors.
• Undertake EEP activities over the course of their programme that mirrors the Level 3 in terms of hours. 

Level 2 occupational programme

This programme will be aimed at supporting progression into work or work-based training such as an apprenticeship. This could take 1-2 years (depending on the occupation). 

One-year transition programme

This programme is aimed at supporting progression onto a Level 3 ABS programme. Students will study maths and English, other subjects to support progression to Level 3 ABS, and participate in EEP activities. 

Level 1 and Entry Level programmes

The ABS will not cover students studying at Level 1 or Entry Level due to the specific and diverse needs of this cohort. However, these students will have the option to benefit from more teaching hours as part of the introduction of the ABS reforms.