The Department for Education is reviewing post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below, to ensure that every qualification approved for public funding has a distinct purpose, is high quality and supports progression to positive outcomes. We want clearer qualifications choices for young people and adults. Students and employers should feel confident that every single qualification offered is high quality.

We recognise concerns about the potential removal of well-established qualifications, which is why we have consulted extensively. No decisions have been made yet about the future of particular subjects or qualifications. However, performing arts qualifications are mentioned explicitly in the most recent consultation as being candidates for future funding, provided that they meet our new quality criteria.

Our first stage consultation ran from 19 March 2019 to 10 June 2019 and set out the key principles we wish to underpin the future offer: quality, purpose, necessity, and progression. The second stage consultation of the review launched in October 2020 and closed on 31 January 2021. At level 3, we believe that T Levels and A levels should become the programmes of choice for 16 to 19 year olds. For those opting for a technical route, T Levels have been developed with employers to give young people the skills they need to enter employment or higher technical study; and for those wanting a more academic route, A levels have consistently prepared students well for higher education.

A levels and T Levels should not be the only options. This was a clear message from respondents in the first stage of consultation. This is why the second stage proposes to fund a number of groups of qualifications alongside A levels and T Levels. These include qualifications that have a strong practical focus and support progression to specialist HE, where they deliver valuable skills not offered by A levels.

We will publish a consultation response in due course.

Department for Education