1. Facilitating the Transition to the New A Levels
Rob Peacock
Carmel College

2. History Long history of success with modular A levels
Removal of January exam
2015 A level results:
Pass rate: 99.3%
A*-B: 58.3%
A*: 10.6%
3 Year ALPS T grade 2

3. The Advantages of Modularity
Recognising and rewarding progress
Identifying and addressing underperformance
Building confidence: particularly disadvantaged
Raising aspirations and achievements
The opportunity to resit
Views of HE
Cambridge
Medical Schools

4. College Response Embrace linearity! Why?
No AS for new specifications
Why?
Assessment methodology at AS and A Level
Views of some staff/subjects
Increased teaching time
“Smelling the roses”
Increased resilience?
Cost: £140K pa
Reduction in the number doing 4 subjects

5. Challenges Culture Perceptions 16+ years of modularity
25% teachers with no experience of linearity in own education
44% teachers no experience of teaching linear A levels
Perceptions
Public HE

6. Aims Overcoming the practical challenges of phased implementation
Providing solid enrolment advice for pupils choosing their A Level options
Supporting pupils and building confidence in the absence of modular exams and coursework
Developing solutions for students who rethink their choices during the teaching of a two year course

7. Overcoming the Practical Challenges of Phased Implementation
Scene setting
Discussion
Internal assessment
Staff development time
College calendar
Evolution not revolution Protect external exams
Lack of exam board materials
Training events

8. Providing solid enrolment advice for pupils choosing their A Level options
Advice and guidance on enrolment
2 year courses
Impact of change in proportion doing 4 subjects
Improved in year retention in subject
Maintaining good retention between L6 and U6
Change culture

9. Supporting pupils and building confidence in the absence of modular exams and coursework
Positivity and self belief
Understanding progress
Target grades
Structured rigorous approach to assessment
October
January
June
Building skills and measuring progress
Marking time
Consultation with students, parents and guardians
The way forward

10. Developing solutions for students who rethink their choices during the teaching of a two year course
Maintaining good retention between L6 and U6
AS Exams
Alternative courses
General Studies
Critical Thinking
EPQ

11. Perspectives
Staff
Students

12. The Future Change to the College year?
Currently finish July 7th
Do we extend?
AS levels
Review in the light of experience

13. Facilitating the Transition to the New A Levels
Questions?