Exam board warning over diplomas

An exam board head has called for flaws in the new diploma system to be addressed before the scheme is rolled out.

Jerry Jarvis, managing director of Edexcel, said that up to 40,000 students could be left with "worthless" qualifications unless amendments are made to the government's flagship diploma programme, reports the Guardian.

He highlighted several problems, including teachers not receiving enough training, the course being too demanding and discouraged pupils and a lack of understanding about new elements.

Teachers will receive just three days training before the qualifications are launched in September and there has still been no decision made on how to teach the practical skills part of the diplomas.

"We think it's going to be quite traumatic to get through this. The issue is about schools being able to cope," Mr Jarvis told the paper, while saying he still supports the qualifications.

Several teaching organisations backed Mr Jarvis, including the Association of School and College Leaders, the National Association of Head Teachers and the National Union of Teachers.

However, several teachers from schools have written to the paper, saying they are confident that they will be prepared for the diplomas in time.

Schools minister Jim Knight also defended the qualifications and maintained that teachers would be "well prepared" before their introduction.