Diplomas in the news
While Delivering Diplomas is all about best practice and sharing Diploma innovation, we cannot ignore some of the
larger news stories that the new qualif_i cations have created. Chris Parr looks at some of the summer’s headlines
T_h e fi rst Diplomas results day qualifi cation, such as Functional Skills, in the Diplomas was good or better in 14 courses,
In August 2009, while hundreds of thousands coming months. and satisfactory in the remaining 11.
of teenagers were receiving their GCSE A spokesman for the Qualifi cations and Inspectors found that two thirds of the
results, a small group of just over 200 students Curriculum Development Agency said: specialist subject teaching on Diploma
were quietly making education history by “Students who have further things to do courses was good, and that schools were often
becoming the fi rst ever recipients of the new before they pass the Diploma outright have drawing on good links with local employers.
Diploma qualifi cation. been given a Progress Statement, telling them T_h e report also said that teachers value the
Although the majority of the 12,000 pupils what they need to do to get a pass.” professional development involved in working
who embarked on a Diploma in September Despite some negative press coverage with colleagues from other schools or colleges.
2008 will not receive their results until next surrounding the fi gures, educationalists However, inspectors claimed that almost
year, 212 young people took a Foundation or emphasised that it was too early to be reading half of the consortia delivering the Diplomas
Higher-level qualifi cation in the space of 12 too much into the Diploma results. had not established an eff ective approach
months, getting their results in August 2009. Dr John Dunford, general secretary of the to teaching Functional Skills. According to
Of the 212 students, 178 passed and 34 Association of School and College Leaders, Ofsted, the quality of learning and teaching
failed. T_h ere were 91 Higher-level Diploma said: “No fi rm conclusions can be drawn in this area “varies considerably”, and many
students, 67 of whom passed, and of the 121 from the very small number of students students do not appreciate that this part of the
taking the Foundation-level qualifi cation, – mainly 17-year-olds – fi nishing their course is integral to earning a Diploma. DD
111 passed. Although based on a relatively Diploma courses in one year. Schools and
small cohort, the fi gures represent the fi rst colleges continue to put an enormous amount
The 2009 Diploma results
indication of how Diploma results might pan of eff ort into the development of Diploma
out in the coming years. courses. Logistical problems of timetabling
Overall results:
Breaking down the results, of the 12 boys and transport are being overcome and young Foundation: 1 A*, 36 As, 74 Bs,
that completed a Foundation or Higher people are being off ered a much wider choice.
10 fails
Diploma in Construction and the Built However, this commitment to the Diploma
Higher: 18 Bs, 49 Cs, 24 fails
Environment (there were no girls), seven of needs to be matched by all political parties.
them passed, while fi ve did not. Schools cannot plan against a background
In Creative and Media, of the 28 students of uncertainty about what will happen to
Individual lines of learning:
studying the Higher Diploma, 19 achieved an Diplomas after the general election.” Construction and the Built
A* to C, while the remaining nine fell short.
Environment
In IT – by far the most popular Diploma, Ofsted focuses on Diplomas
Foundation: 2 As, 4 Bs, 3 fails
with 92 participants across the two levels Delivery of the fi rst fi ve Diploma courses has
Higher: 1 C, 2 fails
– 81 candidates bagged A* to Cs, while the been largely successful, but better teaching
remaining 11 went away empty handed. of Functional Skills is required
Creative and Media
In addition to the 212 students to push the qualifi cations Foundation: 1 A*, 12 As, 21 Bs,
getting their results, around 400 forward, Ofsted claimed
3 fails
other students attempted to in its fi rst report on the
Higher: 2 Bs, 17 Cs, 9 fails
complete the Diploma in one new qualifi cations in
Engineering
year. However, on the advice of summer 2009. Its report,
their teachers, these students have Implementation of 14 to 19
Foundation: 3 Bs
decided to complete some Reforms, said that progress Higher: 2 Bs, 11 Cs, 2 fails
elements of the in introducing the
IT
main subject
Foundation: 19 As, 36 Bs, 1 fail
learning
Higher: 12 Bs, 14 Cs, 10 fails
for the
Society, Health and
Development
Foundation: 3 As, 10 Bs, 3 fails
Higher: 2 Bs, 6 Cs, 1 fail
8 Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009
8 Delivering Diplomas • October 2009, No 1, Vol 1
08 results.indd 12 17/9/09 17:25:22
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