The A-level system will have to be reformed to allow universities to spot the brightest pupils, the Government has accepted. Record pass rates two weeks ago - with more than 20pc of students getting A grades - led to calls for changes to the system. And Education Secretary Charles Clarke has said that he is now sympathetic to the idea that there has to be a mechanism for helping popular universities to distinguish between straight-A candidates. A Government task force headed by former chief schools inspector Mike Tomlinson will issue a report in October recommending how the education system should be reformed for youngsters aged 14-19. It is expected that he will advise a move towards a baccalaureate-style diploma system that aims to both encourage more young people to stay in at school and stretch the highest achievers. After record numbers of young people got top grades in this year's A-levels, Mr Clarke acknowledged that the log-jam at the top of A-Level grades was "a real point". A number of universities have complained about being unable to tell the best students apart, and business leaders also want reform. Mr Clarke said: "We do take it seriously. What is the best means? Is it by doing essays, is it by publishing more details on the marks, is it by having additional papers or whatever
or even splitting it. "That is a matter for discussion, and people will have their different views on those points. "But the problem, that it is difficult to differentiate between A-grades, is a real one, and we do need to find a way through that, and I am looking forward to the professional advice I will get on that in the next few weeks." He added: "Mike Tomlinson will be reporting later this year and I look forward with interest to what he says and Professor Steven Schwartz is also publishing a number of proposals." Mr Tomlinson and others, including Qualifications and Curriculum Authority chief Ken Boston, have put forward various proposals. The A-grade could be split into four or universities could be given applicants' marks as well as their grades, an idea being looked at by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. It has also been suggested that admissions tutors could be given candidates' grades for their six A-level modules as far fewer people get As for all their modules than get the top grades for each subject as a whole. In his interim report published in February, Mr Tomlinson also said the diploma he has proposed as a replacement for A-levels and GCSEs should include a "personal challenge". For mainly or wholly academic diplomas, this could involve a university-style extended essay, or dissertation, of several thousand words. There were signs last week that Ministers could bring this in before - or even instead of - the diploma, which supporters agree should be phased in over 10 years to minimise the inevitable disruption it would case. Mr Tomlinson is due to publish his final proposals in October. | 
Northumberland
