ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the proposals for change which have been made and the reasons why none of them have been adopted. The history of the quarter-century since the end of the Second World War is anything but encouraging to those who believe that changes in the content of sixth form education are needed. At the university entrance level there was an additional change, the abolition of the ‘subsidiary level’ examinations. Consequently changes can only be introduced if every one of the ‘partners’ concerned, the schools, the local authorities, the examining boards and the universities are in agreement. A veto from any partner means the rejection of the proposed reform and a return to the status quo. What it really means, is the God-given right of every Englishman, to preserve the status quo by exercising his veto, and to prevent his colleagues from introducing changes, however much they may be in the majority and he in the minority.
