AQA OFFERS DIPLOMA REASSURANCE

17 April 2008

Commenting on today’s press coverage on the new diplomas to be taught in schools from this September, Dr Mike Cresswell. Director General of AQA, Britain’s leading exams board, said:

"Schools and colleges can be reassured that AQA will continue to work in partnership with them to make the new diploma succeed.  Teachers and learners can have confidence in our commitment to providing them with the support they need as they embark on these new diploma qualifications.

"With any new qualification there are always initial concerns so there is nothing surprising or new in the comments being made about the diploma.  But we have made major investments to ensure that our diplomas are a success.

"We believe that choice of qualifications helps teachers to provide courses of study which are motivating and engaging for their students. This is why we want to see the diploma take its place alongside other qualifications, such as A-levels, as part of the choice available to young people."