Collaboration is the key for 14-19 year olds

17 Aug 2009

Schools, colleges and employers working in partnership are key to widening options for 14–19 year olds and successfully introducing the new Diplomas, according to a report published today by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.

The report, Implementation of 14–19 reforms, including the introduction of Diplomas, reveals that Her Majesty’s Inspectors found a mixed picture, but with positive features, at this relatively early stage in the Diploma programmes. Progress in introducing the main subject learning in the Diplomas was good or better in 14 courses and satisfactory in the remaining 11 courses they observed. Other elements of the Diploma, and particularly the functional skills of English, mathematics and ICT, need to improve. Inspectors also found that the flexible application of a variety of strategies by 14–19 partnership organisations had reduced the number of 14–19 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) in 19 of the 23 areas visited.

The Diplomas, which were introduced in September 2008 and combine theoretical study with practical learning, are the most substantial element of the 14–19 reforms. The largest component of the Diploma – the principal learning - is the specialist subject content, such as engineering or creative & media. However, students must also complete functional skills (English, mathematics and ICT), a project, 10 days' work experience, and a unit of additional or specialised learning intended to complement or extend the specialist subject work.

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Collaboration is the key for 14-19 year olds

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