Whatever long term plans for 16-19 are unveiled in the coming months, the short term reality is that scrapping AGQs will leave many students without a pathway in 2026. Priority #1 for ministers must be to ensure AGQs remain available #ProtectStudentChoice https://t.co/mAnQlLDTW7

#ProtectStudentChoice @SFCA_info

Spot on @guardian editorial on the @educationgovuk plan to scrap BTECs next year: "If ministers don’t rethink this overhasty move, they risk adding to – rather than reducing – the number of 16- to 19-year-olds who end up underqualified and out of work".

Young people have been badly let down by the inexplicable @educationgovuk decision to scrap BTECs before the new V levels are available. This will hit disadvantaged students hardest and create, rather than break down, barriers to opportunity. #ProtectStudentChoice

https://t.co/ljH1CesmD8

Our deputy chief exec James in @FEWeek : "Yesterday evening, once the details of the [V level] plan had been published, it became clear that the timing of the government’s reforms was more likely to create barriers to opportunity." Link follows.

Meanwhile tens of thousands of 16 year olds will lose access to fantastic existing quals in health and social care in September 2026. We urge ministers to allow students to enrol on AGQs while the new suite of V Levels is in development.

This would further strengthen the case for retaining AGQs that are due to be defunded in 26 and 27. Whatever the future looks like, the immediate priority must be to ensure students have a pathway next year - keeping AGQs in play is the only way to do that. #ProtectStudentChoice

James Kewin, Sixth Form Colleges Association @SFCA_info, calls for more funding, more places and more classrooms to enable more 16-19 young people to study full-time. This will in turn prevent young people becoming NEET. Read his article: https://t.co/ny6oa4vkNf

We welcome that the Committee understands the need to retain AGQs alongside A levels and T levels, ensuring students have a range of pathways to work and further study, with the flexibility to choose the best route for them. #ProtectStudentChoice

Its good to see some of the key issues for FE raised, as well as the recommendation that "Applied general qualifications should be retained for the long term"

Very welcome support for #ProtectStudentChoice in today's superb report: "Level 3 qualifications - including Applied General Qualifications - which provide students with a popular and respected alternative to both A Levels and T Levels must remain an option for all young people."

Spot on from @patmcfaddenmp. This underlines the need to pause the defunding of applied general qualifications such as BTECs. Reducing post-19 NEETs will be much harder if gov presses ahead with scrapping qualifications that will increase 16-19 NEETs. #ProtectStudentChoice

Great question from @sianberry about gov response to #ProtectStudentChoice report that highlighted the damage to students and employers next year if there is no pause to AGQ defunding. No mention of AGQs in response or the gap that will be left if they go:

📊 The brilliant @SFCA_info report ‘Creating Gaps, Causing Uncertainty’ shows the real value of AGQs, and the risks if they’re scrapped. 🔗 https://t.co/oHCMBxJrdg 6/7

Many of the most subscribed BTECs are in these sectors (see pic). With T-levels & AAQs not yet seeing the same uptake, maintaining AGQs is a sensible move. Let’s not risk losing valuable routes for young people. 🚏 #ProtectStudentChoice #curriculumreform #sixthform 5/7

Along with colleagues @ASCL_UK we had an excellent meeting with @Jacqui_Smith1 today to discuss the reform of Level 3 quals. #ProtectStudentChoice research shows a pause to AGQ defunding is needed to avoid leaving 1000s of students without a qual in 2026:

The @guardian highlights the impact of scrapping AGQs: "Even the government’s own figures show a gap, with tens of thousands of students on the threatened courses, including some BTecs, potentially unsuited to newer alternatives". #ProtectStudentChoice https://t.co/MnJunCssNN

The key question: "What will students do next year when AGQs are no longer available?" The only way to avoid leaving students without a pathway in 2026 is to extend existing AGQs and confirm this as soon as possible to end the ongoing uncertainty. #ProtectStudentChoice

A delightful surprise to see our proposals on English and maths resits, developed for the Curriculum and Assessment Review, featured in this thoughtful editorial. It's clear that the time is now for bold action on the resit cycle. https://t.co/MnJunCssNN

Exactly right. Scrapping AGQs will shut down opportunities in applied science, health & social care, IT and more - leaving tens of thousands of students stranded in a qualifications black hole. Colleges need certainty now. Ministers must act quickly. #ProtectStudentChoice