Super-diplomas announced in Brighton are built on shifting sand

The Royal Society of Chemistry said that the Government was building on an unsound foundation with its announcement today of a so-called 'super-diploma' said to be the equivalent to four and a half A Levels.

And, said the RSC chief executive, there had been a lack of consultation since the first Government declaration on the new science diplomas last autumn.

RSC chief executive Richard Pike said: "The education secretary may have been Brighton breezy about this new scheme, with today's speech on the south coast, but things will look less optimistic later on if he does not start discussing more widely with those many organisations still in the dark." 

Dr Pike said that the announcement by Ed Balls of the super-diploma was "another step along a confusing road that has by-passed any recognisable consultation process." 

Dr Pike added: "The science, educational and industrial communities have not been properly engaged and we are aware that many parents feel similarly. We said last October, when the science diploma was announced, that actions to introduce it should not be taken without deep consultation. Nothing significant has happened since then to change that view.

"We have been told that one of the major benefits of the new diplomas will be a better blend of academic and practical work in schools and colleges where they are being undertaken.

"Practical work for students demands a number of essential things already badly lacking in many UK schools, such as high-standard laboratories, good equipment, and specialist science teachers, supported by appropriately-qualified technicians to set up the experiments and demonstrations. 

"We have been urging the Government to spend more to achieve those essential conditions under the existing GCSE and A level system. Now we have a competitor diploma system, built to give pupils better vocational experience, yet there has been no mention of the funding to make it happen effectively.

"Also, there would seem to be a contradiction in promoting this as equivalent to a large number of A Levels, while seeking, at the same time, wider access. It suggests that the target audience, curriculum content and assessment are still uncertain."