NUT calls on government to incorporate GCSEs into diploma structure

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has urged the government to simplify its "bewildering" range of qualifications by bringing GCSEs under the diplomas umbrella.

The government has announced its intention to make widespread changes to the structure of qualifications available to 14 to 19-year-olds.

With the radical shake-up in teaching many vocational qualifications will become diplomas, but Steve Sinnott, the general secretary of the NUT, has urged the authorities to go further.

"There is every argument for bringing vocational qualifications into the diploma structure. I therefore urge the secretary of state to take the obvious next step, which is to also incorporate the current GCSEs and A-Levels under the diploma umbrella," he said.

"The message which should go to all schools is that the government is determined to follow a direction of travel towards rationalising and reducing the existing bewildering array of qualifications," Mr Sinnott added.

The new diplomas are expected to be rolled out by 2013.