SCHOOLS and colleges in Preston are divided when it comes down to deciding what is best for A-level students.

The National Association of Head Teachers has called for an inquiry, after claims that the new curriculum is confusing because of Key Skills exams and AS-levels.

But Ian Hassleton, head of administration at Preston's Cardinal Newman College, said: "We take them very seriously and have taken our own steps to improve them.

He added: "For sixth form students, it's like learning to swim and doing GCSE's is like being in the paddling pool - to then do A-levels is to jump in the deep end. The new AS levels together with key skills means students get to learn in the shallow end, preparing them on a broader level for what is required to pass A-levels."

Mike Bradley, the head of sixth form at Hutton Grammar, said: "We have ignored Key Skills. There is enough pressure put on youngsters."

He said: " The governors have been unrealistic in what they have proposed -- before they only had to do three subjects- with key skills and AS levels there is five."

John David, head teacher of Carr Hill school, Kirkham, said: "I do think sixth formers are under pressure but the NAHT have grossly overreacted."

He added: "We do offer Key Skills and, although they can be beneficial in learning general skills like numeracy and IT, but this is a competitive world and universities will not accept lower A-level grades because of pressure from AS and key skills."

When David Blunkett introduced Curriculum 2000, A-Level syllabuses were made into six pass-as-you-go modules with students encouraged to take four or five.

They were then expected to sit AS exams, worth half an A-Level in their first year with most also taking Key Skills exams -- introduced to allay concerns among employers and universities that standards in English and mathematics were low.