New V-level courses to be rolled out for students after GCSEs in plan to simplify 'confusing landscape'

The move is aimed at offering pupils more flexibility and letting them explore key sectors – which could include engineering, agriculture or digital – before deciding where to specialise.

It is also said it will help streamline the "confusing landscape" which is currently on offer to pupils.

The DfE has also announced plans to support pupils to get the "vital pass" they need in English and maths GCSE.

Currently, students who do not achieve a grade 4 in maths and English GCSE are required to continue studying post-16 to pass the exams.

The rule is regularly criticised by sector leaders, and recently the Commons Education Select Committee said the policy is not working for the majority and urged the Government to change it.

The Government announced a new qualification will be "targeted at students with lower attainment as a stepping stone to better prepare them to resit these GCSEs".

The policy will particularly "support white working class pupils", with those eligible for free school meals more likely to need to resit these exams compared to their more affluent peers, the DfE said.

The Education Secretary said: "Technical and vocational education is the backbone of this country’s economy and central to breaking the link between background and success, helping hundreds of thousands of young people get the skills they need to get good jobs.

"But for too long it has been an afterthought. Young people have been left to navigate an overcomplicated landscape and repeatedly labelled as ‘failures’ by a system that has held them back from all-important English and maths grades.

"Through our plan for change, we are turning the tide.

"Our reforms are building a post-16 education system that truly matches young people’s aspirations and abilities, delivering the opportunity and growth our economy needs."

The Government has said it will launch a consultation to support the introduction of V-levels.

T-Levels will meanwhile continue to expand to other subject areas.

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The National Education Union welcomes today’s announcement as a significant step forward for vocational education.

"For too long, the post-16 qualifications framework has lacked coherence and clarity.

"While students following academic routes have benefited from a clear and structured pathway, those pursuing vocational options have too often faced a confusing and under-resourced system.

"These reforms present an important opportunity to deliver greater fairness, consistency and quality for all learners."

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the Government's pledge to better support pupils to pass English and maths GCSEs will help move away from the "current morale-sapping system".

He said: "We have to get to grips with the fact that a very large number of young people are currently not in education, employment or training – ensuring that there are a range of excellent pathways available to all our students is essential in tackling this issue.

"We are also pleased with the recognition that a new approach is needed to support post-16 students in English and maths.

"This must move us away from the current morale-sapping system of mandatory GCSE results."

Shadow education secretary Laura Trott has previously slammed Labour's Schools Bill as "education vandalism", describing it as an "all-out assault on teachers".

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