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Cambridge Outlook 14 (2516Kb)
Cambridge Pre-U - an alternative to A Levels
01 June 2006
Chief Executive Ann Puntis will be the keynote speaker at the Alternatives to Advanced Level and GCSE Level Conference on Tuesday (27 June) at Wellington College, Berkshire. She will talk about the development of the Cambridge Pre-U, a post-16 qualification which aims to prepare students with the skills and knowledge required to make a success of their subsequent studies at university.
CIE is developing the Cambridge Pre-U in response to demand from teachers who tell us they want to be able to prepare students for higher education more effectively with syllabuses that are stimulating to teach. Universities have also expressed concern about students' capacity to benefit from a higher education experience which calls for a more independent and self-directed style of learning.
Ann Puntis said: "We have been overwhelmed with the response from schools who are genuinely enthusiastic about the development of the new qualification. Schools are contacting us to be involved in the piloting of the Cambridge Pre-U and to join our development panels who are working on the syllabuses. We are also experiencing widespread interest from schools in the maintained sector and from those involved in education."
Cambridge is working closely with schools, in the UK and internationally, and with universities on the development of Cambridge Pre-U. The Cambridge Pre-U development is overseen by a Liaison Committee comprising members from the university sector, from UK and international schools and from UK Subject Associations. There is also a representative from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
Nineteen individual syllabuses are under development in the Cambridge Pre-U suite. They are being developed by subject panels comprising teachers and representatives of subject associations and universities. Draft syllabuses will be available in autumn 2006 for detailed consultation and the new qualification will be launched to schools in September 2007 for first teaching in September 2008.
Graham Able, Master of Dulwich College, said of the new qualification: "I am pleased to be involved on the Liaison Committee for the CIE pre-university qualification and am very enthusiastic about its launch."
Patrick Derham, Headmaster of Rugby School, said: "We are very interested in Cambridge Pre-U because primarily there is a real need for an academically credible exam. What we like about it is that it avoids prescription and concentrates on subject specialisms, which we think are paramount. We need an exam that can stretch the top end."
Ann will be joining fellow educationalists at the conference including Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College, who is hosting the event.
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