ALCAB

Remembering the work of ALCAB. This was set up to advise on the content of reformed 'A' level specifications. Their work resulted in a number of new subjects appearing on specifications.

Our role was to provide advice to Government and to the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) on the content of A-levels in the subjects of particular importance for preparation for the leading universities. We were funded by a grant from the Department for Education.

Our detailed work in respect of individual A-level subjects was undertaken by specialist subject panels made up of experienced academics. Our work focused on the ‘facilitating subjects’ identified by the Russell Group, which are mathematics, further mathematics, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history, and modern and classical languages.

Our work built on the findings of the A-level subject content review conducted by the awarding organisations and Ofqual. ALCAB established expert subject panels to review the content of A-levels in mathematics, further mathematics; modern foreign and classical languages; and geography. The panel reports were published in July 2014.

We will also contribute to the review process for A-levels that Ofqual will establish in the longer-term. Through this process, we will consider the content of the remainder of those facilitating subjects not identified for detailed consideration by subject panels in the first phase of our work, providing advice and drawing on relevant expertise as appropriate.

The Geography Subject Panel.

The Geography Panel is chaired by Professor Martin Evans who is a Professor of Geomorphology at University of Manchester and Head of Geography in the School of Environment, Education and Development.

Geography Panel members are:

Dr Pippa Chapman, University of Leeds

Professor Klaus Dodds, University of London

Professor Richard Harris, School of Geographical Sciences

Professor Anthony Long, University of Durham

Dr Emma Mawdsley, University of Cambridge

Professor Richard Phillips, University of Sheffield

Ms Bridget Oeppen, Hills Road 6th Form College, Cambridge

Dr Alistair Owens, Queen Mary, University of London

Dr Ruth Weaver, Plymouth University

Dr Rita Gardner, Royal Geographical Society

Mr Alan Kinder, Geographical Association

ALCAB ended in January 2015.

I wonder, ten years on, whether the Curriculum and Assessment Review will require similar panels to advise on subject content updates, rather than such changes coming as part of the Review document itself.

The original ALCAB report from 2014 can be read on this link. (PDF download)