Changes in schools from September 2008
Diplomas
Five new diplomas have been introduced in England for 14–19 year olds. They are alternatives to existing qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels, GNVQs and apprenticeships. They are a mix of traditional classroom-based learning and vocational training.
The diplomas relate to the employment sectors of:
- creative and media
- information technology
- society, health and development
- construction and the built environment
- engineering.
This year 300 pupils are starting the diplomas in East Sussex. Next year we expect around 1,500 pupils to study the diplomas which will be extended to include hair and beauty studies, manufacturing and product design, business admin and finance, environmental and land-based studies, and hospitality and catering.
Eventually there will be 17 new diploma courses, which will all be available as options to all young people in East Sussex by 2013.
For more information on diplomas visit the websites below.
Leaving age
As of September 2008, children starting secondary schools in England are legally required to stay in education until they are 17 years old.
The rise in the leaving age is part of a government policy to have pupils continue in some form of education or training education to the age of 18. Children starting secondary school in September 2010 will be legally required to stay in education until they are 18 years old.
The change does not mean that pupils have to stay in the classroom, but they will continue to receive education or training in some form, including in the workplace.
Guaranteed further education and training
In 2007 the government introduced the September Guarantee to support young people in their transition to post-16 learning. Almost 190,000 16–18 year olds are neither working, studying or in training, and the September Guarantee aims to get these young people into education, employment and training.
The September Guarantee is an offer, by the end of September, of a place in learning to young people completing compulsory education. The guarantee was being extended to 17 year olds in 2008 to give those who enrol on one year or short courses, or who leave the activity they chose when leaving school, further opportunities to carry on in education and learning.
