Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, comments following the announcement that the first V level subjects will be available from 2027.
“We welcome the government’s decision to retain existing Level 3 qualifications until the new V levels are introduced. These remain popular courses and we have consistently argued – alongside many others in the sector – that they should continue to be funded until robust alternative pathways are fully established. The certainty now provided around existing qualifications is a positive and much‑needed step as we move towards a new post‑16 landscape.
“We also welcome the government’s plans to reform T levels, and we hope these changes will strengthen their accessibility, quality, and suitability for a wider range of learners.
“The transition period will inevitably be complex for schools and colleges, and the timeline set out by the government will be crucial in enabling providers to plan their future offer. We encourage the government to publish the full implementation plan, including the detailed qualification-level information underpinning the timeline, as soon as possible.
“We hope today’s announcement signals that lessons have been learned from the challenges experienced during the initial rollout of T levels, and that schools and colleges will receive the clarity, support and resources required to ensure a smooth transition to the new suite of qualifications.”