COLLEGE principals, head teachers and parents in Hampshire will today find out the details of the biggest shake-up to the country's education system in 60 years.

GCSEs and A-levels could be scrapped and replaced with a four- level diploma system, if the proposals outlined by Mike Tomlinson, the former chief inspector of schools, are accepted by the government.

He has spent the last 18 months spearheading a working group made up of teachers, college principals and academics which has been looking into reforming the education system for 14 to 19-year-olds.

Their aim is to reduce the post-16 drop-out rate, reduce the number of exams sat by youngsters and draw together vocational and academic qualifications under one system.

College principals and head teachers have broadly welcomed the proposed changes.

Jenny Fitton of Taunton's College in Southampton said: "It is going to be a framework that allows young people to study what is appropriate to them at their own pace.

"However, there is going to a be a big premium on schools and colleges working closely together because no school or college is going to be able to provide all the opportunities for youngsters aged 14 to 16 or from 16 to 19. A change of this magnitude cannot be introduced overnight."

Neil Hopkins, head teacher at Peter Symonds College, welcomed equal esteem being given to vocational and academic qualifications.

"It's just as important to get a qualification in plumbing as it is to get one in Latin.

"However, we have to wait and see the detail, mechanics and logistics of the proposals. Up to now it has just been a grand idea but ideas are only grand if they work."

Under the proposals, the diploma organised around four levels - entry, foundation, intermediate and advanced - would be introduced by 2014.

The highest A-level equivalent will be mainly assessed by external exams while at lower levels, including that taken by 16-year-olds, assessment will be carried out by teachers based on pupils' work throughout the year.

Dr Peter Hollis of the 700-pupil Oaklands Community School in Southampton said teachers would be able to assess students fairly.

"I don't see there being a huge amount of difference, " he said

"Teachers already predict grades for pupils who are sitting their GCSEs and Key Stage Three tests and usually their predictions are correct."

THE PROPOSALS:

GCSEs and A-levels to be scrapped with a new diploma with four levels at entry, foundation, intermediate and advanced level.

The diploma is to be offered at pass, merit and distinction levels.

Teachers to be trained as examiners to oversee internal assessment.

Maths, English and information technology will be compulsory for students to gain an intermediate diploma, the benchmark school leaving qualification at 16 years old.

Youngsters will be able to choose courses tailored to their future ambitions.

At advanced level, external exams will remain, although coursework will be largely scrapped and replaced with a cross-curricular research project.

WHAT do you think? Should GCSE's and A-levels be scrapped? Contact our education reporter Clare Kennedy on 023 8042 4505 or e-mail her using the link above.