The Department for Education has issued an update on this matter this week. This paper summarises the key features and also indicates NAHT’s response to the changes announced. NAHT also is concerned about the timing of its release being so close to the end of the summer term.
Diploma Entitlement
Schools will no longer be required to offer students access to all Diploma lines of learning, the so-called ‘Diploma Entitlement’ Schools will therefore offer lines of learning on the basis of ‘capacity and demand’. The NAHT is sceptical about this notion as ‘capacity’ and ‘demand’ can contradict each other in reality. Although in an ideal world a curriculum offer will try to reflect the aspirations of students and meet local employment needs, the wider uncertainties about the future of the Diploma and funding will discourage schools from investing in expanding or redirecting capacity.
The Extended Diploma
This will not be available, development work having ceased. This decision was taken on the grounds of not wishing to introduce greater complexity but NAHT would argue that the suggested alternative – taking advantage of the flexibility to offer additional opportunities for additional learning – itself introduces additional complexity.
Phase 4 Diplomas in Humanities, Sciences and Languages
These will also not be introduced, the rationale being to focus on strengthening existing provision in these subject areas. The reference to ensuring that provision in these areas is both ‘rigorous’ and ‘challenging’ and will provide a proper preparation for future work and study. The implication is that this is not the case now. NAHT believes that this represents a lost opportunity, particularly in Sciences and Languages, to enhance attainment and encourage greater participation in vital areas.
Diploma Gateway
There will be no further Gateway rounds; this will apply to lines of learning offered from September 2011. The basis for this decision is ‘considerable amount of expertise’ that has accrued.
Consortia
The requirement to offer collaborative approaches to Diploma delivery has been relaxed. The rationale is to allow schools to widen their offer. NAHT challenges the logic of this on the basis that collaboration extended the offer particularly in lines of learning in which schools had no in-house expertise., eg Hair and Beauty. The fear is that this will narrow the range of Diplomas offered and that this will affect the more explicitly vocational of lines of learning. It should be noted that the ability to work in consortia has not been removed.
Reduced Support
Current levels of centrally provided support will no t be available in September. This will include Consortium Advisors, less bespoke training and no further central support on the assessment of diplomas. No decision has been taken about other aspects of central support, a decision being taken in September. However, the advice to schools to ‘take advantage of training and development opportunities that are available from other sources’ tells its own tale. NAHT fears that the withdrawal of central support will be a significant disincentive for schools currently not offering particular Diplomas who were considering so doing in the future.
16-19 Planning
Local Authorities are no longer required to form Sub-Regional Groups and participate in Regional Planning Groups. Te importance of partnership work is tacitly recognised but it will be up to LAs to determine how they will engage. NAHT believes that the combined impact of schools and colleges no longer being obliged to offer access to all lines of learning, no longer being obliged to work in consortia and this change will seriously weaken LAs’ commissioning capacity.
Funding Issues
In the wake of the reduction in the Local Delivery Support Grant (formerly known as the Consortia Support Grant) and the introduction of a revised formula, LAs were allocated the first of two tranches of funding in the week beginning July12th (details of how much each LA has been allocated can be found at the attached link.
DfE advises schools and colleges to approach their LA about this. It should be ntted that the scope of the grant has been extended in 2010/11. The bulk will still be for Diplomas but it now includes Functional Skills and Foundation Learning. The current basis of the formula is the predicted number of 14-18 year olds in the LA in 2012 and the number of new Diploma lines offered on the basis of having successfully negotiated Gateway 4. It is evident that this cannot be the basis for funding beyond 2010/11. The second tranche will be made over to LAs in January 2011. LAs will receive their Diploma Formula Grant payments in September and March.
Diploma Award 2010: Last Minute Advice
DfE suggests that schools and colleges may wish to do three things to help ensure the smooth running of August’s results’ process.
- Ensure that Awarding Bodies have been informed which students are involved;
- Complete the recording of work experience and Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills on the Diploma Aggregation Service;
- Establish that an ‘Intention to Claim’ form has been set for students completing this summer.
Functional Skills
The three year pilot has come to an end and a range of specifications have been validated. Ofqual has accredited 80 qualifications and 3 Awarding Bodies offer the full suite. There is a possibility that others will be accredited. Schools and colleges can check these at the accredited qualifications website and have ‘FS NQF’ in the ‘type’ column. In some instances the assessment arrangements have been amended in the transition from pilot to accredited status. Mmenebrs are therefore advised to ensure that the database has been checked to ensure that accredited qualifications are being offered and tat planning reflects current assessment arrangements. A reminder that all students following the Diploma, Apprenticeship and Foundation Learning pathways must take Functional Skills.
Foundation Learning
This also shifts fro pilot to formal status in September. Meetings with QCDA suggest that everything is in place for a smooth roll-out although NAHT has expressed concern that the majority of LAs have not had sufficient involvement to support schools wishing to offer this pathway. Feedback from members would be appreciated. For members offering Foundation Learning for post-16 students thereis funding guidance available at the attached website.
The Department for Education has issued an update on this matter this week. This paper summarises the key features and also indicates NAHT’s response to the changes announced. NAHT also is concerned about the timing of its release being so close to the end of the summer term.
