The 14-19 Specialised Diplomas
The key proposals for reform set out in the 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper include:
Reform of vocational routes
Employers and universities are currently leading on developing specialised lines of learning. This will lead to diplomas in 14 broad sector areas at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Diplomas will all have functional English and Mathematics and other relevant academic content.
They will combine the best of academic and vocational courses.
- Level 1 Diplomas will cater for those who are not yet ready for GCSE level.
- Level 2 Diplomas will provide education and training at GCSE level.
- Level 3 Diplomas will match A levels for depth and rigour and will be an alternative gateway to university or high-skill employment.
Five sets of specialised Diplomas will be available for first teaching in every local area from September 2008:
- IT
- Society, Health and Development (formerly Health and Social Care)
- Engineering
- Creative and Media
- Construction and the Built Environment
Subsequent branches will be available from September 2009:
- Landbased and Environmental
- Manufacturing
- Hair and Beauty
- Business Administration and Finance
- Hospitality and Catering
and from September 2010
- Public Services
- Sport and Leisure
- Retaill
- Travel and Tourism
Each set of Diplomas will be subject to a three-year pilot period, which means that all will be fully piloted by 2013. There will be a national entitlement to 14 specialised learning lines in every local area for 14-19-year-olds from 2015.
Securing the basics
Every young person is to master functional English and Mathematics before they leave education. Tougher GCSE English and Maths will be introduced, with higher grades awarded only to pupils who have demonstrated high attainment. The proposals include freeing up the curriculum from 11, to make time for catch-up. There is to be a new diploma for five GCSEs, including English and Mathematics.
The Basingstoke Consortium is working with its partner schools and colleges to devise an appropriate curriculum for students in Basingstoke to ensure that, from age 14, all have full access to the entitlement set out above.