Committees

The future of post-16 qualifications

Inquiry

The Education Committee will hold an inquiry examining how effectively post-16, level 3 education and qualifications (such as A Levels, T Levels, BTECs and apprenticeships) prepare young people for the world of work. The Committee will consider the Government’s current work and proposals in this area and look at whether an alternative model, which enables a greater blend of academic and vocational pathways, should be explored. 

The Government has several proposals underway on post-16 qualifications: 

  • Level 3 qualification reform: The Government has responded to its consultation on reforming level 3 qualifications, with a policy statement published in July 2021. This sets out a timeline for reforms to level 3 qualifications, which includes defunding from technical qualifications that overlap with T Levels 
  • The Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday 15 November 
  • The further rollout of T Levels The Committee’s new inquiry will look at the impact of these changes and whether existing and proposed arrangements go far enough to prepare young people for the world of work.

The Committee’s new inquiry will look at the impact of these changes and whether existing and proposed arrangements go far enough to prepare young people for the world of work. 

Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry. 

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Thursday 20 January 2022.

Reports, special reports and government responses

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Third Report - The future of post-16 qualifications
Inquiry The future of post-16 qualifications
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Report
Response to this report
Fourth Special Report - The future of post-16 qualifications: Government response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2022–23
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HC 1673
Special Report
Fourth Special Report - The future of post-16 qualifications: Government response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2022–23
Inquiry The future of post-16 qualifications
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Correspondence

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Correspondence from Minister Halfon to the Chair regarding the Government’s review of post-16 qualifications at level 3 in England, dated 10 January
Inquiry The future of post-16 qualifications
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Correspondence
Correspondence from Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator of Ofqual, regarding post-16 qualifications
Inquiry The future of post-16 qualifications
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Correspondence

Oral evidence transcripts

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13 December 2022
Inquiry The future of post-16 qualifications
Witnesses Robert Halfon (Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education at Department for Education), and Sue Lovelock (Director of Professional and Technical Education at Department for Education)
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Oral Evidence
8 November 2022
Inquiry The future of post-16 qualifications
Witnesses Alice Barnard (Chief Executive at Edge Foundation), Tom Richmond (Director at EDSK), Richard Markham (CEO at IB Schools and Colleges Association (IBSCA)), and Kate Grieg (CEO, Coastal Academies Trust at King Ethelbert School)
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Oral Evidence
18 October 2022
Inquiry The future of post-16 qualifications
Witnesses Yiannis Koursis (Principal and CEO at Barnsley College), Andria Singlehurst (Director of Learning at Aspirations Academies Trusts), Martin Said (Instructional Lead XP Trust, founding teacher at the first XP School in Doncaster at XP School Doncaster), and Tina Götschi (Sixth Form Principal at Ada, National College for Digital Skills)
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Department for Education (FPQ0123)
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Department for Education (FPQ0122)
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Petitions Committee (FPQ0121)
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Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

  • Email: educom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 2370 (general enquiries) | 020 7219 8895 (media enquiries)
  • Address: Education Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA