1. Supporting Learners through 14-19 Reforms
Kath Ridealgh
County Adviser Curriculum

2. WHY?
45% of young people leave compulsory education without the minimum qualifications.
This leads to a large unskilled adult workforce (rated 27 out of 30 OEDC)
Low skills jobs are disappearing fast
Employers need a workforce with the right skills in the future

3. WHY? Work patterns have changed: More flexible working
New technologies
Global impact/markets
It is expected that a young person today with have up to 15 jobs by the time they are 38.
Some of these jobs have yet to be invented!

4. It’s all about Demographics ….
For the first time the 60 year olds outnumber 16 year olds.
We need ALL young people engaged in employment –
Your pension relies on it!
Social factors
Economic Factors

5. Government Response
Raising Participation Age to 18
All young people in Education or Training until they are 18
Changes to the Curriculum
Apprenticeships
Diplomas
Foundation Learning Tier
General Qualifications

6. New pathways
The qualifications currently available are being brought together into a series of distinct pathways:
GCSEs
Foundation Learning Tier
Apprenticeship
Foundation & Higher Diploma
Foundation, Higher or Advanced Diploma
GCSE / A-Level
Employment with training 2 1
Further education
Higher education
Employment
Apprenticeship post 18 3
Young Apprenticeship
P 1
P 2
P 3

7. Education Reform: Apprenticeships
By 2020 it is expected that 1 in 5 young people will be on an Apprenticeship Pathway
Currently there are 200,000 apprenticeships in the UK this is expected to double in the next 5 years
Young Apprenticeship Programme
Pathways to Employment Programme

8. Education reforms: Diplomas
The new Diplomas are designed to provide young
people with:
A combination of essential skills and knowledge, both general and industry specific;
Opportunities to experience different styles of learning in different environments, with an emphasis on practical activities;
Flexibility and choice with options allowing them to pursue their interests and career objectives;
Source: DCSF
See also Teachers FAQ on Diplomas (Source DSCF)
What Teachers Need to Know about Diplomas (DCSF booklet)

9. What subjects are available and when?
17 Lines of Learning
Phase
Lines of Learning
Three-year pilot
(controlled rollout through quality “Gateway”) 1
Creative and Media IT
Engineering
Construction and the Built Environment
Society, Health and Development
2008 2
Environmental and Land-based Studies Manufacturing and Product Design
Hospitality
Hair and Beauty Studies
Business, Administration and Finance
2009 3
Public Services
Travel and Tourism
Sport and Leisure
Retail
2010 4
Science
Languages
Humanities
2011
Diploma national entitlement in 2013

10. Diplomas In Suffolk 2008 1 x Engineering Pilot – 47 learners
new pilots to include – Society, Health and Development, Construction/ Built Environment and Environment/ Landbased – projections are: Learners
2010 – possible 28 new pilots with over 1500 learners
We are predicting that by 2013 over 35% of young people will be on this pathway

11. Education reforms: Foundation Learning Tier
The Foundation Learning Tier will provide the framework within which units, qualifications and learning programmes at Entry and level 1 will sit. It encompasses all learning contexts and settings (offender learning, special educational needs, adult returners, etc).
Progression pathways will establish clear progression routes towards level 2 for those learners with the potential to progress, and to independent living skills, supported employment etc.
Source: Qualification Curriculum Authority

12. Education Reform: General Qualifications
Changes to the GCSEs and A levels
Like the other pathways incorporating personal learning and thinking skills – creative thinking, independent learning, etc
Entitlement to Work Related Learning experiences

13. Importance of Skills Development
Intelligence and length of education has a strong impact on earning power – for each extra year of education/training earnings rise by 5%.
Social skills are equally important as academic prowess for success in later life studies show for each social contact made a school salary in later life was up by 2%
Resilience to changes in career
Love of learning
Can do attitude!

14. www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19
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