This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/mar/26/media-studies-survives-but-leisure-studies-doesnt-in-final-cull-of-a-levels

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Media studies survives – but leisure studies doesn't – in final cull of A-levels Media studies survives – but leisure studies doesn't – in final cull of A-levels
(1 day later)
Leisure studies – often the butt of jokes about the dumbing down of exams in schools – is to be axed as an A-level subject, while the equally maligned media studies is to survive, the exams regulator for England has announced.Leisure studies – often the butt of jokes about the dumbing down of exams in schools – is to be axed as an A-level subject, while the equally maligned media studies is to survive, the exams regulator for England has announced.
Environmental science, another subject expected to be dropped as an A-level subject, has also been granted a reprieve by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) when the regulator published its list of remaining A-levels and GCSE subjects to be reformed by 2017.Environmental science, another subject expected to be dropped as an A-level subject, has also been granted a reprieve by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) when the regulator published its list of remaining A-levels and GCSE subjects to be reformed by 2017.
The list of subjects represents the final convulsion in the exam system unleashed by the former education secretary Michael Gove, which has already seen the course content and specifications for subjects such as English, maths and the major sciences changed to place more emphasis on final exams. The list of subjects represents the final convulsion in the exam system unleashed by the former education secretary, Michael Gove, which has already seen the course content and specifications for subjects such as English, maths and the major sciences changed to place more emphasis on final exams.
Media studies had been tipped for the axe following Gove’s promised bonfire of subjects seen as soft or outside the educational mainstream, as part of the former education secretary’s pledge for exams to be “more challenging, more ambitious and more rigorous”.Media studies had been tipped for the axe following Gove’s promised bonfire of subjects seen as soft or outside the educational mainstream, as part of the former education secretary’s pledge for exams to be “more challenging, more ambitious and more rigorous”.
From 2017, subjects that have not been reformed will no longer be taught or offered for examination – a list that includes travel and tourism and performing arts, as well as leisure studies, among A-levels. GCSEs that will no longer be offered include catering, law and applied business.From 2017, subjects that have not been reformed will no longer be taught or offered for examination – a list that includes travel and tourism and performing arts, as well as leisure studies, among A-levels. GCSEs that will no longer be offered include catering, law and applied business.
Ofqual had proposed scrapping GCSEs in electronics and engineering but was persuaded to retain both as exam subjects by lobbying that the proposed replacement – design and technology – would not cover the same ground.Ofqual had proposed scrapping GCSEs in electronics and engineering but was persuaded to retain both as exam subjects by lobbying that the proposed replacement – design and technology – would not cover the same ground.
Environment science was also reinstated as an A-level despite Ofqual’s initial opposition, with the regulator receiving hundreds of submissions calling for the subject to be retained because of its complexity and popularity. Environmental science was also reinstated as an A-level despite Ofqual’s initial opposition, with the regulator receiving hundreds of submissions calling for the subject to be retained because of its complexity and popularity.
However, anthropology, citizenship studies, applied ICT, and communication and culture were all added to Ofqual’s cull of A-levels after exam boards failed to offer proposals to reform the subjects.However, anthropology, citizenship studies, applied ICT, and communication and culture were all added to Ofqual’s cull of A-levels after exam boards failed to offer proposals to reform the subjects.
Glenys Stacey, Ofqual’s chief regulator, said: “We have considered which subjects have the potential to meet our principles, including the need to ensure that all reformed subjects are of an appropriate level of academic demand.Glenys Stacey, Ofqual’s chief regulator, said: “We have considered which subjects have the potential to meet our principles, including the need to ensure that all reformed subjects are of an appropriate level of academic demand.
“It is now for the Department for Education to consider whether content can be developed for those subjects that we think could meet our principles and, in turn, for exam boards to decide whether to submit specifications to us for accreditation.”“It is now for the Department for Education to consider whether content can be developed for those subjects that we think could meet our principles and, in turn, for exam boards to decide whether to submit specifications to us for accreditation.”
Fewer than 1,000 pupils took leisure studies at A-level in recent years, while media studies has continued to be very popular despite public opprobrium – there were 26,000 A-level entries in the subject in 2013.Fewer than 1,000 pupils took leisure studies at A-level in recent years, while media studies has continued to be very popular despite public opprobrium – there were 26,000 A-level entries in the subject in 2013.
The regulator also announced that home economics child development would remain under review as a possible GCSE subject, although home economics textiles and food and nutrition are to be folded into design and technology.The regulator also announced that home economics child development would remain under review as a possible GCSE subject, although home economics textiles and food and nutrition are to be folded into design and technology.
Catering failed to survive as a GCSE subject despite nearly 200 responses to Ofqual’s consultation process, with several objectors arguing that the subject differed from its proposed replacement subject – food technology as part of the reformed design and technology GCSE – as it was more practical.Catering failed to survive as a GCSE subject despite nearly 200 responses to Ofqual’s consultation process, with several objectors arguing that the subject differed from its proposed replacement subject – food technology as part of the reformed design and technology GCSE – as it was more practical.