Was Tomlinson Right?

Description

Jonathan Dimbleby hosts a panel-led studio debate on the raising of the school leaving age and asks whether Mike Tomlinson's 2004 suggestions for school reform have turned out to be right after all.

The government has pledged to raise the school leaving age to 18, is introducing a new set of vocation-friendly diplomas at GCSE, and is encouraging schools to rely more heavily on formative assessment.

To many, these plans sound remarkably similar to the vision for 14-19 education proposed by the landmark Tomlinson Report which, at the time provoked a storm of controversy among employers, parents and universities, who feared for standards.Now, however, many seem to approve. So, was Tomlinson right?

Joining Jonathan on the panel are key figures at the heart of this important debate: schools minister Jim Knight MP; Mick Brookes, general secretary of the NAHT; John Hayes MP, shadow minister for vocational education; and professor Alison Wolf, from King's College London.

Part of the series: The Big Debate