The former chief inspector told the Commons education and skills committee on Wednesday: “This is very common in FE. Colleges have programme teams and cross-discliplinary planning but these are not common in our secondary schools”.

His group will now look at how Modern Apprenticeship schemes could be included in his reforms.

He believes that progress has been made to counter scepticism in the Confederation of British Industry, concerned about the demise of A-levels under the proposals.

The CBI wants to be part of the consultation process prior to the publication of the final proposals in September, when they will be examined by ministers.

Mr Tomlinson said his reforms will not work without collaboration between schools and colleges and extra funding which will be costed in his final report.