Four top grades in new type of A level

A new alternative examination to the A level will enable universities and employers to distinguish between super bright pupils and the merely well-drilled by replacing the existing grade A with four different achievement bands (Alexandra Frean writes).

The PreU examination – being developed by Cambridge University amid widespread concern over the suitability of A levels for preparing students for university – will award nine grades or bands.

Kevin Stannard, of Cambridge International Examinations, said that it was designed to be more challenging than A levels, with exams taken after two years.

Lords defeated

The Government has rejected a House of Lords demand to include deaths in custody in new corporate manslaughter laws. It was the third time that MPs have overruled the Lords on the issue. Gerry Sutcliffe, the junior justice minister, said that the legislation could be amended in the future to extend its powers.

Second man held

A second man has been arrested in connection with an attack on a traffic warden, who suffered head injuries after being assaulted while on duty. The man, 22, had called into a police station. The victim, 38, remains seriously ill in hospital after the incident in Wandsworth, southwest London, on Wednesday.

Stabbing arrest

A teenager has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Martin Dinnegan, 14, who was stabbed during an argument with a group of youths on Tuesday night in Islington, North London. Scotland Yard said that the 15-year-old youth was being held at a London police station.

Wife’s sea death

The wife of a leading hospital consultant has died after walking into the sea. Kari Boto, who was in her 40s and worked for the BBC, was pulled from the water by an RAF helicopter but died later at Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk, where her husband, Dr Tom Boto, is a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.

Gay bishop invited

The gay American bishop Gene Robinson, whose consecration in 2003 brought the worldwide Church to the brink of schism, is to be invited to the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Church next summer, The Times has learnt. It makes a boycott by bishops of the Nigerian Church more likely.

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