Bill Rammell MP answers your questions (August 14, 11am)

Got a question for Bill Rammell MP?

We're thrilled to have the Minister live in the yougo forums on A-level results day (August 14) at 11am to answer your questions.

This is your chance to speak to a member of Gordon Brown's government directly this morning.

Leave your questions on his profile page, or email the editors@yougofurther.co.uk and we will put them in front of him as soon as he tunes in.

Visit Bill Rammell's profile page: http://www.yougofurther.co.uk/members/256313/BillRammell.aspx

Read more:
http://www.yougofurther.co.uk/articles/news-and-advice/new_student/article/Web-chat_3A00_-Bill-Rammell-MP/default.aspx

Make him a friend: http://www.yougofurther.co.uk/members/256313/BillRammell.aspx

To enter any ITT programme, whether undergraduate, postgraduate or employment-based, people must have at least a grade ‘C’ in GCSE English and mathematics, or can demonstrate they have reached the equivalent standard. Those wishing to teach primary pupils also need a GCSE grade ‘C’, or equivalent qualification, in a science subject.

Some ITT providers offer equivalence tests. These tests are offered at the discretion of individual providers, and only where all other entry requirements are satisfied. While providers are encouraged to offer the equivalence test it is ultimately for individual providers to decide whether to accept an applicant in line with their general admissions policy. 

That's great Bill.

The next one . . .

What is your opinion in response to the growing concerns of so-called "grade inflation", and the perception that A-levels are getting easier year-by-year?. As a student going to university this year, I feel growingly concerned that my A-levels may not be good enough once I graduate from uni, particularly on competitive subjects such as Law.

That's from 'VanillaSky'

I find it very depressing that every summer we get commentators suggesting that the exam results are evidence of grade inflation.

This is insulting for pupils who have worked hard all year and deserve to celebrate their results and it’s demoralising for teachers. It’s no surprise that exam results have got better because there have been vast improvements in the quality of teaching and a huge investment in schools.

However Most employers are likely to be interested in the most recent qualifications of applicants as a guide to their ability and aptitude, and so your performance in higher education will be key.

Financial support is triggered once students have proved their intention to undertake a course of higher education (HE) by registering on a course. 

To help young people find out more about HE, the Aimhigher Programme, which operates most intensively in disadvantaged areas, offers a range of opportunities.   Aimhigher activities include visits to HE Institutions, masterclasses and mentoring opportunities through which young people from backgrounds currently under-represented in HE can improve their knowledge of and preparedness for HE.

Thank you Bill. We have another one here about English and Scottish students:

I am a little mystified that English students are burdened with tuition fees of over £3000 per year, while Scottish students pay nothing. What points to a gross inequality is that English students studying in Scotland must pay tuition fees: how is it justifiable that there is a complete inequality, based on where you come from?

I come from France originally - everybody would go on strike if the government tried to pull off something like this, and they would be right...

That's from 'Georges'

It is a matter for Scottish Parliament to decide on policy on fees and student support for Scottish students.
However, university applications in England are at an all time high, in spite of the introduction of variable fees.  Applications from low income students have held up or are even slightly increasing as a share of the total.  University application figures show that policy in England is working.

Fees are part of investing in a world class university sector and spending on HE in England is up 23% in real terms since 1997.

It is interesting to note that overall, numbers of English students studying in English HEIs is rising more than the figures for Welsh and Scottish domiciled students studying in their own countries.

Thank you.

Next up:

Will the Government consider legislating against marketing which pushes attempts to attract students to various forms of credit, and therefore debt?