Gove kills off the AS-level exam

The death of the AS-level exam is being signalled by Education Secretary Michael Gove as part of a revamp of A-levels. The AS-level was introduced at the turn of the century as a half A-level by the previous government as part of an attempt to broaden the sixth-form curriculum.

It is taken by most youngsters at the end of the first year of the sixth-form who then ditch the subject they do worst in when they come to A-levels.

Mr Gove made it plain at a weekend conference at Wellington College he wanted to move towards a more traditional A-level – with the exam focus at the end of the second year. This, he argued, would allow students to study subjects in more depth rather than constantly have to sit modules. Schools have complained that the AS-level made it impossible for pupils to engage in extra-curricular activities during their first year in the sixth-form.

Mr Gove said he wanted to see "deep thought" return to the classroom. "We need to ensure the knowledge expected of A-level students is such, they can hit the ground running [at university] and don't need four-year courses."

Mr Gove today announces an expansion of the TeachFirst scheme – whereby the country's most talented graduates are fast-tracked into the profession. All secondary schools will be eligible to take on teachers under the scheme.