Examination- Age-Limits
SIR,—May I say how cordially I agree with Mr. Carrington in his criticism of the recent remarks of the headmasters of Harrow and Mill )11ill? And may I add that no boy or girl, so far as I can see, need be held back in any way by the age-limit, if the schools do their job properly? We have some boys in our School Certificate form this term who are too young to take the examination. They have done the papers unofficially, marked by us, and, if their performance warrants it, will go Into the Sixth Form in September together with the older boys who have taken the examination. They will by-pass Ordinary level (corresponding to the present School Certificate) in their main subjects, which they will lake at Advanced level (corresponding to the present Higher Certificate)
.at the end of their second year in the Sixth; at the end of their first or second year they will take certain other subjects at Ordinary level. This combination will give them all they need for University entrance or professional exemption, and they will have just as long in the Sixth Form as before. The organisation necessary to effect this is not very easy in a small school; in a big school it should present no difficulty.
Those who cause needless anxiety to parents by talking about " bright boys " being checked " do not seem to understand that in the new system pupils who are likely to stay for at least two years in the Sixth are not required—or expected—to take " Ordinary " level in their main subjects; and that any subjects at any level can be taken at any time.—
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