For the past 20 years, every time a new government minister has taken over education they have made changes to stamp their mark on the system.

O Levels gave way to GCSEs, polytechnics graduated to become universities and then AS levels, GNVQs and NVQs joined the throng and now the traditional three-term year looks to be on the way out.

The result is little short of chaos. There are now 3,700 recognised syllabuses and 800 different qualifications.

The latest proposal put forward by current education minister Charles Clarke aims to cut through the dizzying mire, giving pupils a balanced learning experience and encouraging more to go on to higher education.

Mike Tomlinson, former chief inspector of schools, has produced a report calling for the biggest shake-up to the examination system in 50 years.

The proposals, hammered out by a Government task force, would mean the partial abolition of A levels, GCSEs and vocational qualifications to be replaced with a four-part diploma similar to the International Baccalaureate.

A Levels and GCSEs would form only part of the new diploma.

Members of the education establishment seem to have welcomed the plans with the proviso that, if anything is changed, it should be properly thought out.

Councillor Pat Hawkes, chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City Council's children, families and schools committee, said: "There is a perceived difficulty with exams at the moment. There is a mish-mash of AS Levels and A Levels and some people may not be getting the same level of education.

"If the system is revised then there might be more consistency.

"It's not about saying A Levels and GCSEs are rubbish but it's about saying let's look at something which hasn't changed in years."

The new system would mean fewer exams, more school-based assessment and recognition of voluntary work.

Students would also be forced to learn certain subjects in sixth form to ensure they are competent in literacy, numeracy and information and communications technology.

The proposals come in the wake of the A Level fiasco last year when many students were marked down to counter complaints that the exams were too easy. Afterwards, senior Government officials admitted there were problems with the current examination system.

Anthony Seldon, head teacher at Brighton College, said: "I think it's excellent and they have got to make certain this time that they get it right.

"I am all in favour of imaginative proposals which combine the best of the International Baccalaureate with the best of the traditional GCSEs and A Levels."

He said the current system placed too much pressure on students who faced three years of consecutive examination.

"GCSEs are fine but after that there are far too many for them to sit. It's ridiculous and, I think, unnecessary."

Under Mr Tomlinson's proposals, the diploma would be available in four parts.

Entry level would be equivalent to key stage three targets set at age 14.

Foundation would be a collection of achievements similar to D and E at GCSE and intermediate would be the equivalent of about five or six good GCSEs.

Advanced Level would equal A Level examinations or equivalent.

David Hart, general secretary of the Haywards Heath-based National Association of Head Teachers welcomed the report on the proposals as a "long overdue dose of common sense".

He said: "At last we have the prospect of an over-arching diploma that properly recognises all qualifications and all levels of achievement.

"We welcome the proposal that GCSE, AS and A Level examinations should not be free-standing but should make appropriate contributions to the diploma.

"The commitment to cut the overwhelming burden of testing and examinations and to reduce the volume of course work will be widely applauded.

"The emphasis on both basic and core skills is absolutely crucial."

Each level of the diploma would have three or four separate elements.

These would be general education skills, including literacy, numeracy and IT, specialist skills that could include vocational study, supplementary courses that would complement the specialist skills and extra-curricular activities such as voluntary work, sport or drama.

Some elements would be graded and some would be acknowledged as having been achieved.

Peter Evans, head master at Cardinal Newman Catholic School and Sixth Form in Hove, said: "It's a good way forward.

"Because of the modular nature of GCSEs and AS Levels, students are now publicly examined every year from Year 9 to Year 13. They are being tested to distraction."

Mr Evans believes this has led to a narrowing of the curriculum because too much time is spent preparing for exams.

He said: "There is an old phrase: "You don't improve the quality of the pig by weighing it all the time".

"I would like to see a broadening of the experience youngsters get up to 18.

"The ideal is to produce someone who will benefit from and will benefit society so they will be an all-round citizen."