Sir Ron Dearing, chairman of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, pledged this week to tackle the 30 per cent drop-out rate among A-level students. Speaking in London at the first of a series of regional consultations, organised as part of his review of post-16 education, he also promised to focus on the 70 per cent who did not take A-levels. The review will consider ways of building bridges between A-levels and vocational qualifications, as well as the development of modern apprenticeships.
