Johnson: Exam reforms could go 'horribly wrong'

The Government's flagship exam reforms could go "horribly wrong", the Education Secretary Alan Johnson admitted yesterday.

He told a conference of headteachers there was a danger that the introduction of new specialist diplomas alongside A-levels and GCSEs would be seen as a "secondary modern" exam alongside a "grammar".

At a dinner with vice-chancellors from the elite Russell Group of universities they "all looked at their shoes and went quiet", said one source, when asked whether they would accept students with diplomas. The group represents all the major research institutions - including Oxford and Cambridge.

The 14 new courses - which will be phased in from next year - followed Tony Blair's refusal to back a plan from a government inquiry to bring vocational qualifications, A-levels and GCSEs under the umbrella of one diploma. This led to accusations from teachers' leaders that they would be seen as "second-class".

However, Mr Johnson ruled out a U-turn. "Whatever you or I or anyone else may think about this, GCSEs and A-levels are here to stay," he said.

The concerns were echoed last night by leaders of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) - which represents secondary school heads. John Dunford, its general secretary, said: "With the educational history of this country being littered with examples of first and second-class qualifications, the only true guarantee of success will be when the diploma, embracing both the academic and the vocational, is the only game in town."

Mr Johnson's admission came as rocketing fees are forcing schools to spend more on putting pupils in for exams than they are spending on books. The cost has soared by more than 50 per cent, Malcolm Trobe, president of the ASCL, said.

One comprehensive school reported spending £68,000 a year on exam fees and just £53,000 on books, photocopying and other resources. As a result, headteachers are demanding ministers meet the increased costs or signal a cut in examinations.

Dr Dunford insisted the importance of GCSEs would diminish if Mr Johnson went ahead with his plans to make it compulsory for all youngsters to stay on in education or training until 18.

Heads argued that the costs had spiralled because exam boards had been under pressure from ministers to devise new and costly syllabuses in key subject areas.