Some schools have been performing well for years, including courses on agriculture and horticulture, which can be particularly fruitful for motivating pupils who have failed in mainstream schools. But now their placings in the league table will plummet because these results will not qualify. The apparent argument is that the courses are not 'rigorous' enough. However, schools offering these courses have pointed out that, in order for their pupils to pass the agriculture BTEC, they have to complete 9 weeks of practical work, starting at 6am every morning to look after the animals. Is this not 'rigorous'?
What do others think? Do we not need to encourage young people to go into farming and producing food? Populations are increasing but food production cannot keep up with this, so how will we cope in the future?