The Diploma in Derbyshire

1. The Diploma in Derbyshire January 2010

2. What is the Diploma? • A new qualification that combines theoretical study with practical application and develops skills highly valued by employers and universities. • It is part of a national programme to provide young people with more options, to encourage them to continue learning for longer. • Diplomas will eventually be available in 17 broad subjects (lines of learning) and at three levels.

3. What levels are available? The Diploma is offered at three levels: • Foundation (level 1) – equal to up to five GCSEs at grades D to G • Higher (level 2) – equal to up to seven GCSEs at grades A* to C • Progression (level 3) – equal to up to two and a half A levels • Advanced (level 3) – equal to up to three and a half A levels They are flexible qualifications which will sit alongside, and may incorporate, other qualifications such as A levels and GCSEs. An additional Extended Diploma will be available at all three levels from 2011, which will allow young people to extend their studies to include further learning. Progression, Advanced and level 3 Extended Diplomas all offer a route to higher education.

4. What does it involve? An overview of the components: Additional orSpecialist learning Principal learning Generic learning Skills, knowledge and understanding central to the chosen Diploma 50% will be applied learning Employer designed and endorsed Functional Skills: English, maths and ICT Personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS) Optional units Can broaden and deepen learning programme Progression pathways Work experience (minimum ten days), Project

5. What does it involve? A summary

6. What subjects are available and when? Diploma national entitlement in 2013

7. What does this mean for young people? • The Diploma is a great new way of combining class work with work related experience. It gives young people a new choice of qualification that keeps their options open and allows them to extend their studies through an Extended Diploma. • The Diploma will give young people the knowledge and skills needed for college, university or work, in an exciting, creative and enjoyable way. • A Diploma will help young people make choices about careers, whether their next step is college, university or a job.

8. What does this mean for employers? • The Diploma has been designed by employers for employers so that young people are better prepared for work. • The introduction of the Diploma is likely to help recruitment and reduce staff turnover. • By getting involved with the Diploma, employers can help to make sure that young people get the skills they need from them.

9. What does this mean for schools and colleges? • Diplomas are for young people of all abilities and aspirations who like to think about and apply their learning. • Diplomas combine elements of academic subjects and practical skills in a way that reflects modern industry practice and the demands of degree courses. • Young people will be based at their school or college, but may have the chance to do some of their learning in other schools, colleges or employers. • There will be an extended training programme for those involved in delivering Diplomas.

10. What does this mean for universities? • The Diploma provides a challenging and high quality programme of learning as robust as three and a half A levels. • The Diploma provides young people with the skills and knowledge they need to do well at university. • The flexibility within the Diploma enables universities to specify any particular Additional or Specialist learning options to be taken to reflect entrance requirements for certain courses. • The nature of Diploma learning means that young people will have developed strong intellectual and personal skills and be self-motivated. This will make the transition from school or college to university much easier.

11. What are universities saying? “Diplomas provide a valuable and different route into higher education combining academic rigour and vocational practice.” Sheffield Hallam University “A whole generation will now see opportunities for careers that until now they were hardly aware of.” University of Salford “The University welcomes the Diplomas for their potential to extend opportunity to more young people, enabling them to take advantage of a high quality university education.” University of Warwick

12. GCSE A level Ext Project App’ships Foundation learning tier UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme 14-19 Reform Programme How does it fit with other qualifications? 16-19 14-16 Secondary Curriculum Functional skills in English, mathematics and ICT

13. How are they delivered? • Diplomas are being delivered in learning communities by Diploma Consortia which consist of schools, colleges, training providers and employers (learning providers) within a local area, for example, Ripley and Heanor. • Diplomas can be delivered between a number of providers. This will give young people more choice as a learning community will be able to offer a wide range of Diploma lines. • This could result in young people attending different learning providers throughout the week. • Learning communities aren’t straight forward! • not all schools or colleges in a learning community are involved in the delivery of the Diploma • not all schools are able to access Diplomas that are being delivered by other providers within the same learning community • it’s also possible to access a Diploma in another learning community or even another county – where the school is working with another learning community or county • Young people and their parents or carers should check with their school to see what Diplomas are available to them.

14. Spoilt for choice? • Due to the way Diplomas are being introduced, not all learning communities will have access to the Diplomas straight away. • It is hoped that by 2013, every young person will have access to all of the 17 Diploma lines of learning. • Where Diploma Consortia are delivering a Diploma, these are usually offered at Foundation level (level 1) and Higher level (level 2), but you will need to check whether it is offered at Advanced level (level 3) for post-16 students.

15. Things to consider… • Timetabling – check with the school or college to see what the timetable for Diploma study will look like. Some young people may need to attend extra classes. • Transport – some schools may offer free transport and some may ask young people to provide their own transport. Check with the school or college. • Employer involvement – check with the school to see which employers are involved and whether protective clothing or equipment is needed and who will provide it. • Career options – this is very important! There are lots of different qualifications and progression routes so young people should seek advice before signing up!

16. 2010 – where are the Diplomas in Derbyshire?

17. 2010 – where are the Diplomas in Derbyshire?

18. Interested? What now? • Firstly – young people and their parents or carers should check what Diplomas are available to them. • If Diplomas are available, young people and their parents or carers should attend school options evenings or parents evenings where someone should be available to talk about Diplomas. • As there aren’t many places to begin with, young people will need to apply to study a Diploma. • They should check how to do this with their school or college as application procedures may vary. • Some schools are selecting applicants by application form and interview.

19. Further information for practitioners To keep up to date with developments in 14-19 curriculum and the Diplomas • www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas • www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19 • www.qcda.gov.uk/diploma • www.connexions-derbyshire.org/b/practitioners – select Curriculum support, Curriculum and qualifications, then The Diploma for resources and materials available to download • www.routes-ahead.org – to search for Diplomas • www.derbyshire.gov.uk/diplomas – local information • www.diplomainfo.org.uk • www.diploma-support.org • www.iagworkforce.co.uk

20. The Diploma in Derbyshire January 2010