News
New report shows universities’ ‘overwhelming
support’ for Diplomas
Schools Minister Iain Wright welcomes thinking, analysis, and research All of these Diplomas will combine over 70 per cent of schools and
research showing that top universities skills. theoretical learning with knowledge nearly 90 per cent of colleges have
overwhelmingly back the Diploma. u Universities welcome the of industry and practical experience. already come forward to offer it.
The research, undertaken by the opportunity to widen So far, provisional figures show Higher Education has also endorsed
National Foundation for Educational participation to higher education, that three times as many students as this qualification, with almost nine
Research (NFER) and University of commenting that Diplomas will last year have applied to study for a out of ten university courses being
Exeter, found that all universities bring new types of student and Diploma starting in September. accessible for those achieving one of
questioned would welcome new styles of learning into higher Iain Wright said: This report shows the first Diplomas.
applications from the first Diploma education. that universities strongly support the But because the Diploma is a new
cohort in 2010. Diploma and view it as excellent qualification, we are working hard to
The NFER report also found that: This report, echoing a report from preparation for higher education. Top get important information about it to
u Russell Group universities (20 Universities UK earlier this year, will universities value the combination of young people, their parents and their
major research-intensive also be welcomed by young people theoretical learning and hands on teachers through targeted
universities) are strongly choosing to study one of five new experience that the Diploma offers. campaigns.
supportive of the breadth of Diploma lines being taught from The full report can be found at: Diplomas are only currently
learning and range of skills that September. This will give young
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/program available in certain parts of the
Diploma students develop. people 10 different lines of Diploma meofresearch/index.cfm?type=5&x=3 country – and the marketing and
u University vice-chancellors are learning to choose from, offering 5&y=64. information campaigns have been
confident that Diplomas will them more opportunity to focus on The Universities UK report can be targeted in those areas. As we roll
deliver the qualities they their interests and abilities. found at
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/ out these qualifications across the
want in undergraduate The new Diploma lines are: Publications/Pages/ImpactOfCurriculu whole country, more and more
students: flexible, independent u manufacturing and product mReforms.aspx parents and young people will find
working and experience of a design Commenting on research on out about them.
work placement. u business, administration and Diplomas by the University of Campaign tracking of parents
u Universities are enthusiastic about finance Reading and British Educational and young people in the areas of
the Extended Project – a crucial u hair and beauty Research Association, Diana the country where Diplomas are
component of the Diploma – and u environmental and land-based Johnson said: offered shows more and more
felt it developed the learning skills studies We know that both students and people becoming aware of this
universities look for: critical u hospitality. teachers really like the Diploma and qualification.
Children ‘increasingly unlikely’ to learn a modern language
Children are increasingly unlikely to young children speaking another endure lessons which they have been system will magically instil an
leave school with even the most basic language was working. already taught at primary. enthusiasm for languages in secondary
knowledge of modern languages They also cast doubt over the "The fact that primary languages school: it's just not happening."
despite Government claims to the viability of one of the Government's are not inspected by Ofsted and that The study, published in the
contrary, an independent study key education pledges which entitles all students are still entitled to opt out at Language Learning Journal, also
has found. seven-to-eleven-year-olds to learn a the end of Key Stage 3 tells it all. revealed inadequate training
Angela McLachlan from The modern language by 2010. “Languages – either at primary or arrangements and the difficulties
University of Manchester discovered a Ms McLachlan said: "Because the secondary level – are just not a priority primary schools have in receiving
'chaotic and ineffective' system of quality and quantity of children's for the Government despite what they funding for language teaching.
teaching modern languages in a year- exposure to primary language teaching say. If we follow this course, we are She added: "It's little wonder
long study of four English primary varies so much, it's often impossible to doomed to retain our global reputation primary teachers have little
schools. teach a class in secondary school with as the least proficient and most appetite for making time on the
The findings contradict recent claims such a wide range of skills. unenthusiastic linguists in the world. school curriculum for this subject -
by Schools Minister Diana Johnson that "Perhaps even worse, some "It's fantasy to expect that especially as it doesn't contribute to
the Government's strategy to get more secondary school children will have to somehow this inadequate primary league table places.”
Specialist I.T & Laptop Insurance for
Education
Tel: 02380 442227
Email:
sales@burnett.co.uk
Web:
www.burnett.co.uk
Burnett & Associates plc . 39/41 Victoria Road, Woolston, Southampton SO19 9DY is authorised & regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
September 2009
www.education-today.co.uk
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