Although their history stretches back more than two centuries in some European countries, baccalaureates are a relatively recent innovation within the English education system. Our attempts to move away from separate ‘academic’ and ‘vocational’ routes to a single, broad-based curriculum can be traced back at least thirty years. Yet three substantial reviews of post-16 qualifications later and our own fledgling ‘baccs’ are still far from achieving this aim.
As part of the Schools Week Build a Better Baccalaureate supplement, I briefly chart the history of baccalaureates and diplomas in the English education system.
You can download the guide here.