REACTION in South Lakeland has been mixed to the release of a long-awaited report into an overhaul of the national education system for pupils from 14 to 16 years old, reports Andy Bloxham.

The report by Mike Tomlinson, a former chief inspector of schools, published on Monday, suggested a wide range of changes to the educational system spanning both GCSEs and A levels.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP and shadow education secretary Tim Collins welcomed some of the report's recommendations but queried others.

Speaking in Parliament after the release of the report, Mr Collins said there was a "real chance for progress" if education was focused on improving vocational education and raising basic standards of literacy and numeracy.

However, he said any changes should include rather than replace "well-understood and respected" GCSEs and A levels.

In his foreword to the report, Mike Tomlinson said the status quo was not an option and "further piecemeal changes" were undesirable.

He proposed: a focus on literacy, numeracy and computer skills; improved vocational education; greater partic-ipation post-16; fewer tests but a greater role for teachers in assessment; and new grades to differentiate between the best students.

The framework of his proposals for reform is a four-tier diploma' system: l an entry level diploma set below the level of GCSEs l a foundation level diploma, with compulsory aspects, including an extended project l an intermediate diploma, with more demanding internal assessment, and l an advanced diploma awarded at pass, merit and distinction level.

He proposed GCSEs and A levels would not be available as separate qualifications but would become the "building blocks" of the new system.

Executive director of the Learning and Skills Council Cumbria Mike Farley said: "I hope the Government implements the package in its entirety."

He said the proposals would "resolve issues that have bedevilled education" for years.

He said 42 per cent of British employers, according the Confederation of British Industry, was dissatisfied with school leavers' numeracy and literacy and this could improve those skills.

The head teacher of Kirkbie Kendal School, Kendal, Phil Hyman said it was "so far so good" but the devil would be in the detail of implementation.

He added that the direction Mike Tomlinson intended education to take was already partly commonplace in South Lakeland, with pupils at his school able to take vocational exams at Kendal College.

The Government will set out its response in a White Paper next year and, if accepted, the proposals could be implemented in 2014.