AoC responds to AQA’s report on numeracy and literacy assessment

Eddie Playfair, senior policy manager, Association of Colleges, said:

“We welcome AQA’s report ‘A, B, C, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3’ on the need for new types of assessment for numeracy and literacy skills. We agree that all young people should leave full-time education competent and confident in numeracy and literacy.

“Colleges support the aim of improving everyone’s English and maths skills and are doing most of the work of raising post-16 achievement in English and maths towards level 2 nationally.

“We have been saying for some time now that the qualifications available to support this are not fit for purpose and we need a relevant and motivating offer which can build on students’ previous achievements and give them the opportunity to experience success as they work towards level 2.

“This report is a welcome contribution to the debate and highlights the long-standing issues with numeracy, literacy and digital fluency in England, making a strong case for new on-demand, ‘when-ready’ assessments focused on core knowledge and skills. Now the government needs to create the conditions for such assessments to be developed and recognised.“