DIPLOMAS DIPLOMAS
for our learners and parents to make choices about their
learning pathways. Campion School also had some of A cut above: Some
the current hairdressing students demonstrating their of Campion School’s
skills at the open evening to inspire attendants and hairdressing
capture their imagination. students in action.
In all of the Diploma lines of learning, creativity From September,
and engaging potential learners is of huge significance the school is offer-
– the possibilities and opportunities the Diploma offers ing the Diploma in
must be presented in order to fully showcase its hair and beauty
potential. Planning and preparation, along with solid
communication between consortium partners will help
to make sure the Diploma is implemented effectively.
Campion School is also gearing up to deliver the
creative and media Diploma and both the hair and
media departments, along with Functional Skills tutors,
will run a session to introduce all teachers to this
new qualification. As we are involved in many bids
for Diploma delivery, the school has a good general
awareness of all the different areas, and it is the duty of
each individual school to pass information to all staff
members about all the various lines of learning.
Timing and implementation
Representatives from the different lines of learning
within any consortia need to come together and schedule
regular meetings to discuss timing and implementation
– this requires detailed planning and communication.
Planning and
Training providers within our consortium will
deliver the Principal Learning to other schools within
our locality, offering additional afternoon sessions
within the home schools once a week.
They will provide guidance for project and
assignment work with ASL delivered as a twilight
session. At Campion, all aspects will be delivered
preparation
within the normal school timetable – ASL as a chosen
option or specialised unit, and the weekly afternoon
sessions will follow the same format as our partners.
The learners will also have the choice of ASL within
another option block. Questions of who could deliver all of the Diploma Employer engagement is extremely important, and way to encourage learners to engage with science in a
At Foundation Level the planning is easier as the content and how it could be assessed were the major can be achieved and used in many ways; for example different context.
guided learning hours (GLH) fit into one day a week. concerns in our situation. Certainly, we will have to solve the Diploma support website (see further information) Here at Campion School we look forward to offering
We are already working on Personal, Learning and the tracking of learners and who takes responsibility for has a community forum with lots of great ideas and an this relevant and practical qualification that will ignite
Thinking Skills (PLTS) with current learners and have which aspects. opportunity to network regarding this subject. the imagination of our learners. SecEd
implemented this throughout all of our vocational From a school perspective, the success of its learners I believe the Diploma will provide learners with a
courses. This has proven successful and learners can is paramount and handing over learners to another chance to learn in an applied way, encouraging them • Allison Manning is a teacher at Campion School
already recognise skills that they have learnt which they training/educational provider can be worrying to some to engage in not only their Diploma subject but also in and Community College in Leamington Spa. They are
had not realised they had been acquiring at the time. leaders. the core subjects. working with Diploma awarding body VTCT.
However, working within a consortium and For example, maths is a huge part of the hair
The future of the Diploma
initiating good communication between partners from and beauty industry. Employees are required to work
Diploma information sites
With the roll out of the new Diplomas came a number the beginning will enrich the learning experience out calculations, commission on sales, discounts on • www.qca.org.uk/diploma/
of changes, causing initial concerns and apprehension and encourage the sharing of good practice and bills, and are constantly performing mathematical • www.diploma-support.org
for many schools, including Campion. standardisation of high quality delivery. calculations. The science aspect is also a positive • http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/
SecEd • March 26 2009 15
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