14-19 education and skills

Transforming the education system for 14-19 year olds

The 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper in 2005 outlined DfES plans to transform learning for 14-19 year olds based on 4 key priorities:

• A greater focus on the 3Rs - the functional skills needed for everyday life, demonstrated through real life application. 
• Stronger vocational routes, where young people develop in part through practical experience, with qualifications that give them a broad enough education to progress further in learning as well as into employment. 
• More stretching options on both general and applied routes and activities which extend young people, backed by greater flexibility for young people to accelerate through the system, or to take longer in order to achieve higher standards. 
• New ways to tackle disengagement and to ensure that those in danger of dropping out can be motivated to stay in learning.

At the heart of the reforms is an entitlement for all young people to access the education that is best suited to them, in a setting appropriate to what they are learning and where standards are assured.

SkillsActive involvement:

SkillsActive currently has involvement in two diplomas and the Welsh Work Based Learning Pathways (WBLP);

• Sport and active leisure diploma - SkillsActive is leading on the development of this diploma and it will be available in classrooms in 2010
• Society, health and development diploma - SkillsActive represents the children’s workforce and this diploma will be available in classrooms 2008
• Sports management, leadership and coaching WBLP - SkillsActive leads the development of this course which will be available in classrooms in September 2007.

What are the Diplomas?

A Diploma is a new qualification aimed at providing young people between the ages of 14-19, with the skills and knowledge they need to gain a job in UK industry.

They have been created to provide a real alternative to more traditional education and qualifications and are the most important changes to the country's education system since the introduction of GCSEs.

Diplomas will provide young people with fully rounded qualification, which combines the practical skills and the theoretical and technical knowledge they require to progress into employment, training or further and higher education.

There will be 14 Diplomas, launching across schools in England from 2008, covering broad subject areas as diverse as retail, manufacturing, hair and beauty and media. These qualifications will run in parallel with the traditional GCSE/A-Level and Apprenticeship routes and will consist of a new formula of blended learning – combining vocational on-the-job training with traditional academic study.

By 2013 every 14-19 year old will have an entitlement to 14 Diploma lines, in addition to the existing National Curriculum.

Download an information sheet about the new diplomas here.

For a comprehensive (30 minutes long) video discussing the new diplomas click here.

What are the 14 – 19 Learning Pathways in Wales?

The Welsh Assembly Government are committed to developing a new approach to 14 -19 education in Wales in order to better fit the needs of young people. Known as 14 –19 Learning Pathways, the programme will include formal, non-formal and informal learning activities, ensuring that all young people have the opportunity for wider enrichment and experiences which will help them develop the skills, competence and confidence to realise their potential in learning, employment or life.

Every young person has potential, and these young people are likely to benefit significantly from the increased choice, wider learning experiences and enhanced support integral to 14 – 19 Learning Pathways.

In addition to increasing the opportunities available to young people it is hoped that the 14 -19 Learning Pathways will also impact positively on basic skills, workforce skills and sustainable employment whilst reducing the number of people leaving full time education with no qualifications and improve the proportion of 16 year olds progressing to further learning, full time or work-based.

The programme includes:

• Work Based Learning Pathways (WBLP)
  As part of the 14 -19 agenda in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Governments Department for Education Welsh Language and Culture (DECWL) will be piloting WBLP allowing young people to combine their academic studies with a blend of vocational orientated learning and work experience. Click here to find out about the Sports management, leadership and coaching WBLP.
• Welsh Baccalaureate (WBQ)
  The WBQ is a new qualification, which includes well established, approved qualifications like A levels, GCSE’s BTECs and NVQs, and develops the knowledge, understanding and skills which businesses need in their employees. Welsh Bac students experience a number of exciting and interesting activities. They undertake an individual investigation and develop research and analytical skills. They learn to use their initiative and apply problem – solving skills to different situations.

Further Information

For more information pleave visit the 14-19 Gateway Website, read the 14-19 Newsletter or visit The Diploma website.