2013, although it should be noted that the
Conservatives have pledged to scrap the three
Phase 4 Diplomas due online in 2011.
T_h e Diploma is available at three levels
– Foundation, Higher and Advance
– and is usually a two-year course of study,
comprising a number of components.
Students must pass a Functional Skills exam
in English, maths and ICT, and complete
a period of work experience as well as an
‘
The Diploma was conceived amid a growing
realisation that change was needed if fewer
young people were to leave school without
any qualifi cations
Extended Project on a topic that interests clear information and guidance to y
’
ear 9s stay or go and stressed this was a matter
them. taking options, to ensure students know for ministers. “Right now we are off ering a
T_h e bulk of the qualifi cation, however, is what it is all about. Pupils are now receiving whole portfolio of qualifi cations for students,
taken up with Principal Learning, which is an outstanding range of choice, but each which includes the Diploma. What happens
made up of units that are directly related to school in the partnership has to manage its in the future is a matter for ministers and not
the subject the students are studying. own options process.” for me,” he added.
Andrew Hall, chief executive of the Certainly, as the case studies in this Concerns have surfaced over the rigour
Qualifi cations and Curriculum Development supplement will show, headteachers and of Diplomas, with claims that students
Agency, who comes from a background curriculum leaders report high levels of can fail the Principal Learning part of the
in industry and engineering, said this mix satisfaction with the Diplomas among both qualifi cation and still gain a pass grade.
was vital to meeting the skills needs of the teachers and students, who have greater However, exam regulator Ofqual said that the
nation. engagement and motivation. awarding and grading of Diplomas was “being
He said he had personal experience of “When I visit schools, I hear that the carefully monitored to ensure that everyone
having to seek skilled and qualifi ed workers experience of students studying the Diploma can be confi dent in the standards set”.
in countries such as China and Vietnam, as in schools and colleges is very positive,” Mr Hall questioned the likelihood of a
well as France and Germany, because of the Mr Hall added. “If you get a good user student gaining no marks in their Principal
skills shortage in the UK. “T_h e Diploma is experience it spreads by word of mouth and Learning. He said: “T_h is is a live examination
putting learning in a whole new context and this will help the qualifi cations to grow and which will develop and evolve as we go on.
that is extremely powerful,” he added. develop.” T_h e Diploma has already been subjected to
One of the main aspects of the new But he said there was always going to a rigorous development process to ensure
qualifi cation is that schools and colleges be room for improvement. “Coming from the appropriate standards are in place and
are expected to work in collaboration and an industrial background, I am very used students should take comfort in the fact that
partnership in their delivery. T_h is has meant to a process of continuing improvement, they are being properly assessed. It is the role
students travelling for lessons to other so that whatever you achieve this year you of Ofqual to ensure that this examination has
institutions, which has led to joint time- will do better next year, and so on,” he value and currency.”
tabling across communities. said. “Similarly, I expect the growth and He said students and teachers can expect
Phil Bevan, deputy head of Hanham development of Diplomas to continue.” further changes in Diploma delivery as the
High School in Bristol, which is part of the As Diplomas evolve and become qualifi cation evolves and lessons are learned
Kingswood Partnership (see page 59), said embedded in our education system, it will from the fi rst, pioneering lines of learning.
the new qualifi cation required levels of co- inevitably fuel the debate over the future “I am sure that from the feedback we
operation between schools that had not been of GCSEs and A levels, especially as the receive there will be things that need to
seen previously. government has so far given no assurances change and there will be practicalities that
“We are constantly working about 14 that these will remain beyond 2013. need addressing,” he said. “T_h e day we say
months in advance to plan the curriculum Mr Hall said he had no opinions on that we have something that is perfect, is the
we off er,” he explained. “We have to give whether the traditional examinations should day we become complacent.” DD
Timetable for the implementation of Diplomas
2008 2009 2010 2011
Information Technology; Environmental and Public Services; Sport Humanities and
Society, Health Land-based; Manufacturing and Leisure; Retail; Social Science;
and Development; and Product Design; Hair Travel and Tourism Languages and
Engineering; Creative and and Beauty; Business, International
Media; Construction and Administration and Communication;
the Built Environment Finance; Hospitality and Science
Catering
Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009 7
06-07 background.indd 13 17/9/09 17:11:16
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  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68