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Diplomas - Update

Summer 2008 Update

The Diploma – Bringing learning to life DVD

What do universities think?

"Studying the Diploma will give you skills that are valuable for university and the future." Professor Michael Arthur, Vice Chancellor, University of Leeds

What do employers think?

"Diplomas contain the knowledge and skills needed for a head start in business life." Sir Alan Jones, Chairman Emeritus,Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd

We have copies of DVDs that the DSCF has produced called ‘Bringing learning to life’ with contributions from major employers and Universities outlining why they support the introduction of the new Diplomas. 

If you like copies of the DVD to be sent to you please email Juliet Greely; juliet.greely@hertscc.gov.uk with your contact and address details together with how many copies you want.

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Spring 2008 Update

All 7 Stragetic Area Partnership Groups (SAPGs) applied in the second round of the Diploma Gateway process with the intention of building on Hertfordshire’s success in Gateway 1.  The second 14-19 Diploma Gateway will determine which areas can start delivering some or all of the first ten 14-19 Diploma lines from September 2009.  The assessment of applications has already started and results will be announced towards the end of March.

For up-to-date information and updates on Diplomas and their implementation the DCSF 14-19 Gateway (www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19/) includes a helpful Diploma section with information, guidance and documentation for both Consortia who will be delivering Diplomas from 2008, and Consortia who have applied for Gateway 2 in order to deliver Diplomas from 2009.  This includes a communications section.

• www.dcsfs.gov.uk/14-19/
• PR toolkit
• Diploma Key Messages, FAQ and Slide Pack
• Diploma Information Pack

Diploma points for Attainment and Achievement Tables & UCAS

Recent Diploma updates on the DCSF 14-19 Gateway include three announcements concerning the ‘value’ of the Diploma:

• the UCAS tariff for the Advanced Diploma ;
• how the Diploma will be counted in the achievement and attainment tables; and
• the funding formula for the Diploma.

The ‘value’ of the 3 levels of Diplomas is as follows:

	Foundation Diploma	Higher Diploma	Advanced Diploma	Progression Diploma
Level	1	2	3	4
	5 GCSEs at Grades A*-G	7 GCSEs at A* - C	3.5 GCE A levels at A*-E	2 GCE A levels at A8 - E

 

These announcements can be accessed here:

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/

 

New Diploma Lines Announced

Back in October 2007 Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families announced new Diploma lines in Science, Humanities and Languages in order to increase the options for 14 to 19 year olds.  These will be taught from September 2011 onwards.  For further information please see this link:

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/

 

Autumn 2007 Update including Gateway 2

The 14-19 section on the DCSF website contains important new information for all members SAPG members (Strategic Area Partnership Groups). 

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/

The first set of information is for those awarded category 3 in last year’s Gateway application process.  It sets out the steps for successful accreditation to start in 2009. The second is the Guidance for Gateway 2 for applications for the next 5 Diplomas (as well as the original 5) was posted on 5th September 2007. 

Please note that the word ‘specialised’ has now been dropped.  The qualification title is ‘The Diploma’ and the ‘Diploma’ should be capitalised. 

The Diplomas will be awarded at 3 levels:

• Foundation;
• Higher
• Advanced

The first 5 Diplomas are:

• construction & the built environment,
• creative & media,
• engineering,
• information technology, and
• society, health and development.

The second group comprises:

• land-based studies;
• hair & beauty studies;
• business administration & finance;
• manufacturing and product design; and
• hospitality and catering.

All 7 SAPGs will be applying in the second round with the intention of building on Hertfordshire’s success in Gateway 1.

The specifications and guidelines on Diploma lines are available on the QCA and Exam boards websites.

• www.qca.org.uk

Please see the National Database of Accredited Qualifications to view links to the awarding bodies that are accredited to award the overall Diploma qualifications at each level and within each Line of Learning:

• www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk

 

Update - Summer 2007

Hertfordshire is delighted with the high number of successful submissions that the Strategic Partnership Groups (SAPGs) made to the Diploma Gateway Process, to start teaching the first 5 new Diplomas from September 2008 onwards.

A total of 6 bids received an unconditional acceptance for a 2008 start, 4 for a conditional start for 2008 (a short report addressing identified issues needs to be completed by July and accepted by the DfES) and 7 for a conditional start for September 2009 (once again a report has to be made and accepted by the DfES, the timeline is within 9 months).

The North Herts SAPG is only 1 of 10 consortia in the country to have been approved for all 5 Diplomas (one conditional) for 2008.  This group will now be hosting learning visits from other groups coming to Hertfordshire from all over the country. 

A list of schools involved in the diplomas

• Word 2003, 114kb/4 pages, 01/06/2007, schools_colleges_diploma_list.doc

Planning has already started for the next round of applications due in the Autumn term.

There is a raft of support available for the development of the Diplomas from organisations such as the Specialist Schools Trust, NCSL and CEL etc as well as that offered at a local level through CSF.

Nationally out of 40,000 learners targeted for the 2008 start Hertfordshire has over 2,000.

For information on the Diploma Gateway results please see the DCSF 14-19 Gateway website:

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/

 

Update - Spring 2007

Hertfordshire’s 7 SAPG partnerships have made their submissions to the first stage of the Diploma Gateway process.  Regional Panels will meet in January/February 2007 to assess submissions and the results are expected in March 2007. 

Schools, colleges and other providers who wish to deliver Diplomas from 2008 will be expected to be prepared to join the functional skills national pilot in September 2007.

Only those who receive approval from the Regional Panels will be able to go forward to seek Awarding Body approval, from September 2007, to deliver the Diplomas.

Each of the Hertfordshire SAPGs has made at least one Diploma submission to the Eastern Regional Panel.  Submissions have been made across Hertfordshire for all of the first 5 Diplomas (due to begin from September 2008 onwards) and at all levels.

The first 5 Diplomas are:

• Construction;
• Creative and Media;
• Engineering;
• Health and Social Care; and
• ICT

The next 5 Diplomas which will begin in 2009 are:

• Hair and Beauty;
• Land-based and Environmental;
• Manufacturing,
• Business Administration and Finance; and
• Hospitality and Catering.

It is likely that applications will be made via the Gateway process, as for this year.

QCA has recently produced a document which outlines the final structure, standards and size of diplomas at all levels, including the size of components and the size of units in principal learning.

To access this document please use the following link:

• www.qca.org.uk (pdf)