GOVERNMENT plans to overhaul the A level system could set the country's educational system back many years, a North East academic believes.

Professor Gary Holmes's comments come after the announcement by Michael Gove, the education secretary that although the AS level exam will stay, it will not count towards a full A level.

The qualification is no longer going to remain part of an A level and will not necessarily be taken after a year. The A level will now consist of one final exam at the end of a two year course, with modular exams to be scrapped.

AS levels have been in place since 2000 and students often take them after their first year of sixth form, before continuing towards a full A level the following year. The AS level mark previously counted as a percentage of the full A level.

Professor Holmes, pro vice-chancellor at Sunderland University, said: " "The proposals for AS and A level however are worrying and have already raised concerns across the schools sector.

"For example you have to question why AS level should be separated out as an end-qualification. Who is this new audience for a reformed AS level? Is it for students who are not deemed ready or suitable for A levels? How will the AS now link with other opportunities at 16+? The government need to define and explain a proper purpose before tabling a policy decision such as this as a by product of refining A level .

"The current package of AS and A level offers good staged progression for a large number of 16 to 18 year olds. Restricting A level assessment to final examinations at the end of the course takes us back many years in educational thinking."