New streamlined qualifications system will provide clarity for young people, parents and employers

DCSF - 31/03/2008

The proposals form part of a Qualifications Strategy for 14-19 year olds published for consultation today which sets out plans to incorporate the very best of existing qualifications into four key national qualification structures: Diplomas; GCSEs and A-levels; Apprenticeships; and a Foundation Learning Tier of courses that act as a route into higher level qualifications.

Ed Balls said:

"Building on the aim that we set out in the Children's Plan for a world-class education system for all 14-19 year olds, this Strategy will help to ensure that we can unlock the talent of every young person - enabling all teenagers to gain qualifications that are understood and valued and allow them to achieve and succeed. This Strategy builds on the advice we have received from a group of independent experts from all parts of the education sector and employers.

"The current qualification system is still too complex - it is often difficult for young people and their advisers to understand which will best meet their needs and support their aspirations. Not every qualification option has clear progression routes to further study or to skilled employment. Not all the qualifications currently on offer enable young people to develop all the skills and knowledge they need, and that employers and universities want. We want a more comprehensive and coherent qualification for young people, supporting better progression through a set of clear, well-valued qualification choices.

"Building on the vision set out in the 2005 White Paper, 14-19 Education and Skills, there will be four key national qualification routes: GCSEs and A levels; Diplomas; Apprenticeships; and the Foundation Learning Tier. These will offer a range of choices from general education to job-specific, and will support learners of all abilities throughout the country. This clear new offer will build on the best of existing provision, but will also secure a coherent system of 14-19 education that is truly fit for the future, with the flexibility to meet the needs and aspirations of each and every young person. We have said that we will conduct a first review in 2013 of all 14-19 qualifications, in the light of the evidence and experience of what has happened as new qualifications have been introduced.

"These proposals are an essential part of our plans to raise the education and training leaving age to 18, so that all young people have the right skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world and can continue learning throughout life."

Key elements of the Qualifications Strategy for 14-19 year olds include:

• simplifying the system, with a new process to bring the best of existing qualifications into the four main national routes, while building towards a more streamlined offer;
• establishing a step-by-step process through which we can be assured that in simplifying the qualifications available, we are continuing to meet the full range of learner needs;
• development of a set of common criteria against which we will assess whether qualifications will be approved for use for young people in the future;
• the appointment of an expert body of external advisers - the Joint Advisory Committee on Qualification Approval - to use the criteria to advise on whether qualifications should be approved for funding;
• ensuring that new qualification options are made as comprehensive as possible, to better meet the needs of all young people through:
• the Extended Diploma, which will recognise a wider range of achievement within the Diploma framework;
• plans to make the Extended Project an option for all young people who study A Levels;
• an extension of the Diploma entitlement from the first 14 to all 17 Diplomas post-16 from 2013.

Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, added:

"We are confident that these proposals will go a long way towards our aim of attracting more young people to learning, transforming standards in the basics and in the wider skills for employability, and enabling all young people to be taking qualifications that have a real standing with employers and the public at large, establishing a strong progression route to further and higher education.

"The formal consultation process will allow us to take the views of all those interested in these proposals, and to ensure that we are moving in a direction which will make our qualifications system more robust and responsive to the needs of all."

Michael Arthur, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds University, said:

"Delivering effective change in 14-19 education is a massive challenge, but one that this country must seriously address if we are to remain competitive in this fast globalising world. The status quo is no longer a viable long term option. It is critically important that we are able to provide learning opportunities for our young people, allowing them all to develop to their full potential. The proposals contained in this strategy represent a new way forward that takes into account all levels of ability and different styles of learning. Such an approach is essential if we are going to achieve the high levels of education and skills that this country requires for a successful future."

Professor Deian Hopkin, Vice-Chancellor London South Bank University and Joint Chair, Higher Education Engagement Board said:

"The publication of a comprehensive and coherent strategy and framework for 14-19 Qualifications is a major step forward, clearly outlining the exciting and challenging range of provision which is being developed. Higher Education will welcome this development not least because it provides clear navigation, demonstrates the various routes of progression into higher education and enables practitioners to engage even more closely in the development of a 14-19 curriculum which is appropriate for a rapidly evolving world."

Mr Balls also announced the Chairs of the Diploma Development Partnerships for the three new Diplomas in Science, Humanities and Languages. They are:

• Science Diploma: Professor Hugh Lawlor (Professor of Education, Canterbury Christ Church University; Director, AstraZeneca Teaching Trust);
• Humanities Diploma: Sir Keith Ajegbo (former Headteacher, and Government Advisor);
• Languages Diploma: Dr Terry Lamb (Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Sheffield; governor of CILT - The National Centre for Languages).

Ed Balls said:

"I am extremely pleased that Professor High Lawlor, Sir Keith Ajegbo and Dr Terry Lamb have accepted the offer to lead our new Diploma Development Partnerships. I am confident that having such talented, experienced individuals at the helm will ensure these new Diplomas are exciting, wide ranging and of the highest quality and I look forward to their development."