DIPLOMAS
Martin
Howlett,
principal of
the Winsford
High School Federation,
puts forward his case
for the new Diplomas,
arguing that education
professionals should be
embracing the chance for
a major shift in learning
Time for
NYONE WHO regularly reads
A
a national newspaper could be
forgiven for forming the opinion
that a large majority of the teaching
profession is against, ignorant of,
or just plain disinterested in the
new Diplomas.
Thankfully, those in the know have long learned not change
to rely on the media to paint an accurate and fair picture
of what education professionals really think.
The Diploma marks a major change in secondary
education, and as with any reform on this scale, it is not
without its teething problems. The big challenge facing I sat on the steering groups overseeing the is the commitment and direct involvement employers Students will have to demonstrate competency in
both school leaders and teachers is how to squeeze development of both lines and was excited by the have had in developing it, and the role they will play numeracy, literacy and IT, and in personal, learning
enough time out of already hectic schedules to get up potential I saw to engage students in a whole new way in delivering it. and thinking skills, such as independent enquiry and
to speed with a new qualification that takes a radically of learning that will benefit them, their career prospects On the MPD steering group, I worked alongside team-working.
different approach to learning and assessment. and, ultimately, the wider economy. representatives from all the manufacturing Sector Skills They will also have to complete an extended project
But to suggest that teachers are not supportive Indeed, having been one of the first schools to take Councils, as well as employees from JCB, Land Rover, and work experience, and are required to undertake
of, or indeed, are against the Diploma is a gross on BTECs to aid the engagement of our students, this GlaxoSmithKline, Cadbury, Unilever, BAE Systems additional and specialist learning from a range of
misrepresentation. I myself was involved in the seemed the “natural” progression – a qualification that – major players in the UK manufacturing industry who options. This gives students an opportunity to pursue
development of two of the 17 different Diploma lines has the full support of employers and which has been had direct input into the structure and content. specific areas of interest, take extra GCSE or A level
– manufacturing and product design (MPD), which will developed by employers, to aid their real needs within When it comes to teaching the Diploma, companies modules relevant to their studies, or even take an
be rolled out in 28 areas across England this September, an applied context. are working directly with schools and colleges to applied learning qualification related to a particular
and engineering, which was introduced last year. What is truly innovative about the MPD Diploma help with the delivery, offering work placements to aspect or sector of manufacturing.
students, talks and tutorials, assistance with projects, I do not believe the Diploma should replace GCSEs
Union address: Voice
and mentoring for teachers to keep them up-to-date and A levels (which students studying the Diploma will
with industry trends as part of their CPD programme. still be required to take), but I do think the Diploma is
This collaboration is having phenomenal success a necessary addition to the options available. It offers
across the Diploma lines that my own consortium is a genuine, viable alternative to traditional classroom
Wi-fi: Continuing concerns
running. It represents a coming together of the worlds pedagogy, broadening students’ horizons as they
of business and education on a scale never before seen split their time between school, college and work
in our schools. placements.
Despite
I also learnt that cell changes caused by EMR are This input from industry is vital. I would never Young people will meet new role models from the
not regarded as health effects – despite them having question the need to have a curriculum which gives world of work and learn about industries they otherwise
government
potentially long-term genetic consequences. young people a rigorous academic education, but this would have little or no understanding of, helping them
David Carpenter, director of the Institute for has been pursued to the exclusion of teaching the kind to make better informed decisions about their own
Health and the Environment at the University at of applied skills which employers need – a case of too futures.
reassurances that
Albany in the US, said at the conference that there much theory and not enough practice. In New York, there are a number of schools which
was an overwhelming body of biological evidence I remember my first meeting with the Diploma are developing this industrial mentoring system with
wi-fi networks in schools
suggesting a need to protect children. He was Development Partnership for engineering. I sat around tremendous results for the students, who often lack role
supported by Professor Yury Grigoriev, chairman of the table with leading UK and international employers models within their fields of interest.
are safe, Philip Parkin still
the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionising and was embarrassed as a headteacher by what I No-one should get sucked into the trap of thinking
Radiation Protection, who said the potential risk to was hearing – poor basic skills, lack of technical that the Diploma is just for less academically able
children’s health was high and it was necessary to understanding, and employers having to engage in the pupils. While it is true that its practical aspects
maintains grave concerns
develop standards for the protection of children. re-education of new recruits. All this was directed at offer an opportunity to engage pupils with skills
Add to this the debate about whether the use
of mobile phones by children increases the risk
I WAS pleased that, at their recent annual conference, of cancer; and the disregard and ignorance of the
members of the Association of Teachers and Health Protection Agency guidelines – that children
Lecturers raised concerns about the installation of should only use mobile phones in emergencies.
wi-fi networks in schools. The evidence continues to accumulate, and while
This has been concerning Voice for a number there may be little action in this country, there is
‘
It represents a coming together of the
worlds of business and education on a scale never
of years, so it’s good to know that others are taking certainly concern being expressed elsewhere. before seen in our schools
the issue seriously. I wish that I could say the same, In France, the mayor of Herouville-Saint-Clair
with any confidence, about the government and the announced that he was removing wi-fi from schools
agencies responsible for our health and welfare. by the end of the year. Palm Beach in Florida, Los the failing of the current qualifications and education and interests not best sui
I wrote to the then education secretary Alan Angeles in California, and New Zealand have all structure.
Johnson in 2007, expressing my concerns about an prohibited the location of mobile phone base stations While some pupils thrive on an academic education, ’
ted to the classroom, the
Diploma has been designed for students of all
abilities.
accumulation of evidence which suggested to me near schools. The European Parliament is being many do not, and that has meant too many leaving With three levels and the opportunity to extend
that the installation of wireless networks in schools urged to support a written declaration on the risks of school lacking the basic functional skills in areas such studies with further academic modules, it offers
might have detrimental health consequences for exposure to electro-magnetic fields resulting from as numeracy, communication, problem-solving, and equal progression routes into vocational training,
people working in those buildings. the use of wireless technology. teamwork that employers require as a minimum. Apprenticeships, or further and higher education.
His reply stated that the microwave radiation In an open letter on wi-fi in Canadian schools, Dr This, of course, is not just failing employers – it is Its flexibility means it offers a great option to
signals (EMR or electro-magnetic radiation) emitted Magda Havas of Trent University in Ontario warns of failing our children too. We should be sending all young students with a wide range of different skills, interests
by wi-fi are very low power and well within increasing numbers of adverse health and biological people out into the world with appropriate skills to find and ambitions. I, for example, would recommend the
internationally accepted guidelines, and there was no effects below national safety code guidelines. She employment. In too many cases, this is not happening. MPD Diploma to any student who showed an interest
reason why schools should not use wi-fi equipment. said: “Even those who do not accept the science The MPD Diploma offers much to employers and in technology, design, engineering, applied sciences,
I just don’t believe it. In the last two years, there showing adverse biological effects should recognise students alike. Manufacturing is a huge and diverse business, or any skilled craft.
has been a greater weight of evidence from around the need to be careful with the health of children.” industry, with a wide range of employers covering sectors The Diploma deserves a chance to work. It offers
the world suggesting that this is something that When will the authorities in the UK accept that as diverse as chemicals, food, textiles, automotive, something fresh, exciting and challenging to a secondary
should cause concern. a precautionary approach is the right way to go until and electronics. It requires all sorts of specialist skills, education system which could do with a shake-up.
Having attended the Radiation Research Trust’s the scientists can come to some form of consensus? especially in science, maths and engineering – very It is about time education and business stopped
conference, EMF and Health – A Global Issue, in Voice is advocating that new wi-fi systems should focused applied practical skills that are not accommodated behaving like strangers and worked together to achieve
September 2008, at which scientists on both sides not be installed in schools, that existing systems under the current curriculum. Addressing this is the a goal shared by all of us, which is to pass on to our
of the debate expressed their views, I continue to should be turned off when not required, and that guiding principle behind the Diploma. future generations valuable life-skills and knowledge
have concerns. schools should consider whether they really need to Like all lines, the Diploma in MPD is available at they can use. SecEd
Leaving the event, I understood that the use wi-fi. With such strong opinions on both sides three levels – foundation, higher and advanced. At each
internationally accepted guidelines are out-of-date of the argument, serious and sustained scientific level, students study three core topics – business and • Martin Howlett is principal of the Winsford High
and inadequate. Exposure levels are only half the research is needed to establish conclusive facts. enterprise, material science and product design, and School Federation in Cheshire.
story; length of exposure being the other half. production systems. All three involve rigorous academic
Long exposures at lower intensity levels may be as • Philip Parkin is general secretary of Voice. teaching in maths, English and communication,
Further information
damaging as high exposure levels for short periods. Visit www.voicetheunion.org.uk/wifi engineering, the physical sciences, and IT, but applied www.manufacturingdiploma.co.uk
to the practical contexts of manufacturing. www.engineeringdiploma.com
14 SecEd • May 21 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20