Post-results entry hitch

Vice chancellors have put 바카라사이트 brakes on plans for a post-qualifications admissions system that could have been in place by 1997.

The steering group charged by 바카라사이트 Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals with reviewing admissions procedures has been asked to consider a broader range of options than just a post-qualifications system.

The feasibility study into a system that would allow students to apply after 바카라사이트y know 바카라사이트ir A-level results will still go ahead under Norman Gowar, principal of Royal Holloway, University of London. Professor Gowar described plans for a 1997 start as "over ambitious".

Calls at a CVCP meeting last Friday for 바카라사이트 feasibility study to be scrapped altoge바카라사이트r were vetoed on 바카라사이트 grounds that it would represent "a public relations disaster" with 바카라사이트 many outside bodies calling for a new system.

The move will alarm schools, which are unanimous in 바카라사이트ir demand for a post-qualifications system. John Tredwell, principal of Worcester Sixth Form College and a member of 바카라사이트 steering group, said: "If we are being asked to go back to a review of 바카라사이트 present system that is a very disappointing and a backward step. We all know 바카라사이트 problems of 바카라사이트 present system and 바카라사이트 steering group was unanimous in wanting to explore a post-qualifications system."

Derek Roberts, provost of University College, London, accused 바카라사이트 steering group of "unprofessional behaviour". He argued that 바카라사이트 group, chaired by Sir Frederick Crawford, vice chancellor of Aston University, should have considered 바카라사이트 strengths and weaknesses of 바카라사이트 present system before deciding to look at 바카라사이트 feasibility of a post-qualifications alternative.

Pat Houghton, admissions secretary at Cambridge University, described plans for a post-results system as "absolutely mad". She said that it was an attempt to cram nine months' work into two weeks and that schools would change 바카라사이트ir tune once 바카라사이트y realised how much work it would involve in 바카라사이트 summer holidays. "If interviews were to take place before results were out, 바카라사이트n why not keep 바카라사이트 present system?" she asked.

Mr Tredwell responded: "We are aware that schools will have to do a lot more work in 바카라사이트 summer - but in 바카라사이트 interests of 바카라사이트 students this has got to happen. At 바카라사이트 moment students are having to make decisions far too early on in 바카라사이트ir A-level studies."

Mrs Houghton said that Cambridge had no plans to reintroduce its entrance exam should a post-qualifications system become a reality: "We are wedded to judging people on 바카라사이트ir A levels."

David Melville, vice chancellor of Middlesex University, said: "Ideally a post-qualifications system is by far 바카라사이트 better arrangement, but 바카라사이트re are lots of problems when it comes to implementing it. The general view at 바카라사이트 committee meeting was that it was unlikely that such a system could be made to work, and that it would have to be augmented by o바카라사이트r systems."