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Ministers boost Diplomas' value Ministers boost Diplomas' value
(39 minutes later)
Ministers are increasing the scope of England's new Diplomas, so the advanced ones will be equivalent to four and a half A-levels - one more than now.Ministers are increasing the scope of England's new Diplomas, so the advanced ones will be equivalent to four and a half A-levels - one more than now.
From September, 800 schools and 150 colleges begin teaching some Diplomas, more following in subsequent years.From September, 800 schools and 150 colleges begin teaching some Diplomas, more following in subsequent years.
Head teachers say they are under-funded and over-complex, and they have made their own proposal for an overarching Diploma to pull things together.Head teachers say they are under-funded and over-complex, and they have made their own proposal for an overarching Diploma to pull things together.
The government says debate about their implementation is natural.The government says debate about their implementation is natural.
The new Extended Diplomas will start in 2011 and are designed to stretch the most able students.The new Extended Diplomas will start in 2011 and are designed to stretch the most able students.
The government says "a strengthened core of English and maths will be a key feature".The government says "a strengthened core of English and maths will be a key feature".
It says they will give teenagers the chance to study in greater depth and conduct more of their own research.It says they will give teenagers the chance to study in greater depth and conduct more of their own research.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: "Diplomas will be crucial in addressing long-standing gaps in our education system and in bridging the pernicious academic and vocational divide.Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: "Diplomas will be crucial in addressing long-standing gaps in our education system and in bridging the pernicious academic and vocational divide.
There is huge uncertainty among ASCL members as to whether we can deliver ASCL report on DiplomasThere is huge uncertainty among ASCL members as to whether we can deliver ASCL report on Diplomas
"The Extended Diploma will ensure there is a Diploma option to recognise the full achievements of all students."The Extended Diploma will ensure there is a Diploma option to recognise the full achievements of all students.
"It could appeal to those teenagers who currently study at least four A-levels, for example.""It could appeal to those teenagers who currently study at least four A-levels, for example."
'Extensive issues''Extensive issues'
A raft of Diplomas is being introduced at avrious levels of attainment in both work-related and academic fields for students from 14 to 19.A raft of Diplomas is being introduced at avrious levels of attainment in both work-related and academic fields for students from 14 to 19.
The Diplomas being taught from this autumn are in the following fields: construction and the built environment; creative and media; engineering; information technology society; health and development.The Diplomas being taught from this autumn are in the following fields: construction and the built environment; creative and media; engineering; information technology society; health and development.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has said there are "extensive issues facing those implementing the Diplomas". The University and College Union warned that the 14-19 education system must be made less complicated.
In a report for their annual conference in Brighton, heads say they are "in favour of the Diploma concept, the policy of enriching students' experience with work-related learning and the objective of raising the status of 14 to 19 qualifications". General secretary, Sally Hunt, said "The overriding need is to make the initial diplomas work at all three levels before adding to them and making them more complex."
But they also say the Diploma structure is too complicated and that there are logistical difficulties. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said there were "extensive issues facing those implementing the Diplomas".
So they have proposed instead an umbrella General Diploma as an overarching qualification, bringing into a single system the 17 planned Diplomas, functional skills and existing mainstream qualifications such as GCSEs, BTecs, NVQs and A-levels. In a report for their annual conference in Brighton, heads say they are "in favour of the Diploma concept"but that the structure is too complicated and there are logistical difficulties.
They have proposed instead a General Diploma as an overarching qualification, bringing into a single system the 17 planned Diplomas, functional skills and existing mainstream qualifications such as GCSEs, BTecs, NVQs and A-levels.
'Staggered''Staggered'
A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesperson said: "We know that schools, universities and employers support Diplomas but naturally there will be discussions about how best to implement them.A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesperson said: "We know that schools, universities and employers support Diplomas but naturally there will be discussions about how best to implement them.
"We realise that schools and colleges will need extra money to do this; as a result they will get around 10% extra on top of what they already receive."We realise that schools and colleges will need extra money to do this; as a result they will get around 10% extra on top of what they already receive.
"It is absolutely not the case that any one school or college will be expected to deliver 51 Diplomas and we have deliberately staggered the implementation of Diplomas so that schools and colleges will not feel overwhelmed.""It is absolutely not the case that any one school or college will be expected to deliver 51 Diplomas and we have deliberately staggered the implementation of Diplomas so that schools and colleges will not feel overwhelmed."
Mr Balls has said he believes Diplomas could become the "qualification of choice" for young people.Mr Balls has said he believes Diplomas could become the "qualification of choice" for young people.
He will tell the ASCL conference that he will soon publish another strategy for 14-19 qualifications - before the latest changes have begun - setting out how the government intends to simplify and reform what is on offer.He will tell the ASCL conference that he will soon publish another strategy for 14-19 qualifications - before the latest changes have begun - setting out how the government intends to simplify and reform what is on offer.
'Desperate''Desperate'
Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: "It's vital that the Diplomas are high quality.Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: "It's vital that the Diplomas are high quality.
"It's equally important that A-levels survive. Ed Balls has again ducked the chance to guarantee he will keep this gold standard qualification.""It's equally important that A-levels survive. Ed Balls has again ducked the chance to guarantee he will keep this gold standard qualification."
Liberal Democrat spokesman David Laws said: "This further tinkering with the qualifications system seems to be a desperate attempt to get Diplomas back on track."Liberal Democrat spokesman David Laws said: "This further tinkering with the qualifications system seems to be a desperate attempt to get Diplomas back on track."