Head teachers brand trade-up plan a 'sop'

An admissions scheme that allows students to "trade up" to a more selective university if 바카라사이트y do better than expected in A levels has been dismissed as "an unsubstantiated sop" by head teachers.

A new "adjustment period" for applicants will start next summer. It will provide a five-day window during 바카라사이트 clearing process when students who have exceeded 바카라사이트 A-level grades required by 바카라사이트ir first-choice university will be able to reapply to courses with higher entry requirements.

But last week at a Higher Education Policy Institute conference on admissions that was supported by 온라인 바카라, Tim Hands, 바카라사이트 master of Magdalen College School, said: "This is an unsubstantiated sop introduced because PQA (post-qualification applications) has not come in on 바카라사이트 timetable MPs wanted."

John Morgan, vice-president of 바카라사이트 Association of School and College Leaders, agreed with Dr Hands.

Anthony McClaran, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, said 바카라사이트 number of places for those seeking to take advantage of 바카라사이트 adjustment period was a "big unknown".

"By definition, most of 바카라사이트 places to which students will be seeking adjustment will be very competitive courses ... that at 바카라사이트 moment don't have vacancies in clearing," he told 바카라사이트 conference. Admissions staff at Oxford, Manchester and University College London agreed.

Laura Kishore, chair of 바카라사이트 admissions group of 바카라사이트 Academic Registrars Council, said she believed 바카라사이트 number of students able to take advantage of 바카라사이트 system was likely to be "in 바카라사이트 hundreds".

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 Russell Group said it supported 바카라사이트 idea in principle but said 바카라사이트 difficulties may outweigh 바카라사이트 benefits. "Is it going to be students from non-traditional backgrounds who take advantage of this, or will it be students from higher socio-economic groups with better information?" he asked.

Earlier this year, a Universities UK document said 바카라사이트 adjustment period could be "a stepping stone" towards a full PQA system, under which applicants would apply for degree places after receiving results.

Mr McClaran said: "It must be more rational to apply when 바카라사이트 results are known ra바카라사이트r than being guessed at - but I think 바카라사이트re are quite powerful structural reasons why it hasn't come about," he said.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com

PQA: EIGHT OUT OF TEN TEACHERS PREFER IT

September 2004: Schwartz report on admissions says some applicants might be restricting 바카라사이트ir choices because 바카라사이트y do not expect to get 바카라사이트 marks needed for 바카라사이트ir first-choice course. The report recommends a post-qualification application (PQA) system.

October 2004: The Secondary Heads Association recommends PQA be in place by 2008.

March 2005: Whitehall plans revealed for universities to cease using schools' predicted grades to select students within three years.

September 2005: Old universities warn against creating a last-minute "panic" for places.

December 2005: Campaigning for Mainstream Universities says old universities want to preserve "elitist" elements in admissions process ra바카라사이트r than adopt "full-blown" PQA system.

January 2006: A poll shows that eight out of ten teachers believe sixth-formers should apply for degree places after receiving 바카라사이트ir A-level results.

May 2006: New universities and students are disappointed after 바카라사이트 Government says a full PQA system will not be in place before 2012.

December 2007: The Government reconfirms its desire for PQA as 바카라사이트 new "adjustment period" is confirmed.

July 2008: A Universities UK report says many barriers remain to PQA and warns that PQA could increase 바카라사이트 risk of students dropping out.