DIPLOMAS

WHAT IS A DIPLOMA?

Diplomas are new employer designed qualifications offered at three levels in 14 broad employment sectors with a further three in Humanities, Science and Languages,

Completing a diploma provides students with the opportunity to progress to further study, university, or employment.

Diplomas are different to existing qualifications; they offer young people a fully rounded education, which combines theoretical and practical learning.

14-19 year olds will have an entitlement to pursue these diplomas up to level 2 from 2013. That is part of the overall Government strategy to ensure young people have the qualifications they need as by 2020 most jobs will require that level of capability.

HOW ARE THEY BEING INTRODUCED IN SHEFFIELD ?

Sheffield has received agreement to deliver four diplomas from Autumn term 2008;

• Construction and Built Environment
• Creative and Media
• Information Technology
• Engineering

These will be available in schools, colleges and training providers participating in the first phase. If you are interested in learning about these please approach your form tutor or Connexions adviser.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Sheffield will continue to seek agreement to offer further diplomas from 2009 onwards and will ensure the full 17 are available to young people.

What is it for?
The Diploma will:
* open up choices for young people
* offer different ways of learning and a route into higher education or employment
* provide credible, industry-verified applied learning, linked to interdependent general learning,with real opportunities to practise skills.

How will the Diploma be structured?
The Diploma will have three components:
* principal learning - students develop knowledge,understanding, skills and attitudes relevant to a sector (or
sectors) and are give opportunities to apply these to work roles or situations and realistic contexts
* additional/specialist learning -students choose from a range of options endorsed by employers
* generic learning - students develop and apply the skills and knowledge necessary for learning, employment and
personal development.

The Diploma will be available at levels 1, 2 and 3:
* level 1 Diploma will be comparable, in terms of average
length of study, to a programme of four to five GCSEs
* level 2 Diploma will be comparable, in terms of average
length of study, to a programme of five to six GCSEs
* level 3 Diploma will be comparable, in terms of average
length of study, to a programme of three GCE A levels. A level 3 award is
also being developed, broadly comparable in size to two A levels.

Diplomas may contain other qualifications or units.

The Diploma and the national curriculum
At key stage 4, learners follow the programme of study for the core and foundation subjects (English, mathematics and science, and ICT, PE and citizenship). One or more of these may fall inside a Diploma, depending on
the scope and nature of the Diploma.

The Diploma and work experience
The Diploma will include a minimum of ten days' work experience at each level. A Diploma is different from an Apprenticeship. There will be clear routes between the Diplomas and Apprenticeships. Diplomas may share units with an Apprenticeship.

What work has been done so far?
The structure of the Diploma has been developed by QCA and agreed by the Secretary of State. Diploma Development Partnerships (representing employers, higher education and other groups) have developed the content of Diplomas. Awarding bodies, working with the partnerships, are creating the qualifications from the agreed content.

There will be Diplomas for each of the 14 lines of learning as defined in the 14-19 White Paper. The development will be done in three stages.

By 2013 there will be a national entitlement for 14- to19-year-olds to study towards any one of the Diplomas.Work on the Diploma is part of a wider programme of 11-19 reform, taking forward proposals from the 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper.

Lines of learning development:

First teaching: September 2008
Information and communication technology
Health and social care
Engineering
Creative and media
Construction and built environment

First teaching: September 2009
Land-based and environmental
Manufacturing
Hair and beauty
Business administration and finance
Hospitality and catering
Public services

First teaching: September 2010
Public services
Sport and leisure
Retail
Travel and tourism