Mr Gove recently announced changes to A-Level examinations. The rationale was to make A-Level examinations more rigorous and difficult to pass and raise standards.

The Historical Association supports a rigorous approach to A-Level study as the basis for further education and careers, whilst maintaining accessibility for all to the study of A-Level history and beyond and would like to point out that a recent Ofqual international comparability study indicated that A-Level history was comparably more difficult than other similar qualifications in other countries. Additionally, a government review panel concluded that it is quality teaching that develops the skills that universities require but that the pressure to gain large numbers of A Level and GCSE grades can have unintended consequences, the most serious of which is the suggestion of a system from which students emerge qualified but not educated.   Therefore clarification is needed upon which evidence the conclusion has been reached that A-Level history is too easy is based.

The government have consulted with universities in this examination review process. The Historical Association has a long history of support, communication and collaboration with universities and higher education across the country and welcomes the involvement of universities in the review process. The issue of students arriving at university ill-prepared for university level study is not a new one; quite the reverse. This issue has been a matter of debate for many years. Whilst more can be done to bridge the transition between A-Level and undergraduate study through collaboration and communication between schools and universities, this should be a mutual process. The Historical Association fully supports any measures aimed at ensuring that students are better equipped to enter university study of history, and a linear approach may aid this. However,  it must be remembered that students leave school at the age of 18 qualified with an A-Level in history, not fully equipped to undertake undergraduate study and examination, this is not, never has been and should not become the remit of the A-Level examination. The Historical Association fully supports collaboration with universities in the review of A-Level qualifications, although care needs to be taken that a representative cross-section of universities in this country forms the basis of any further consultation.  The Historical Association also stresses the need to collaborate with teachers in the process of making any changes to the current history A-Level provision. 

We look forward to hearing more on this issue!