Took Congratulates A-Level and GCSE Students

12.48.23pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Aug 2005

Success for A-Level...

Local Lib Dem Chris Took has congratulated the students of Ashford district who have been picking up their A-Level and GCSE results in the last 7 days.

...and GCSE students

"During the election campaign I spoke with many students who were undertaking their A-Level and GCSE exams. I would like to pass on my warm congratulations to everyone. Ashford district, like the rest of the UK, did extremely well."

Improved results have led to doomsayer's pronunciations that exams must therefore be getting easier, a claim rejected by Chris.

"It is only 7 years since I too was waiting on my A-Level results. Having seen a recent politics A-Level paper during the election campaign I would reject claims that the exams are 'easier.' What has changed is that the number of courses being offered has increased as has the opportunity to complete coursework throughout rather than face a 100% exam at the course end. We should be celebrating the fact that students are working harder!"

Nationally the Liberal Democrats have welcomed the Tomlinson Report which proposed replacing GCSEs and A-Levels with a four year diploma.

"Perhaps we do need to change the structure. Having undertaken a diploma in the US I personally would favour a four year course. This debate though is for another day. I hope all of our students enjoy their recent success, they have certainly worked hard enough for it."