Diplomas

14-19 diplomas are an exciting new development in secondary education. From September 2008 Swindon schools and colleges will be offering 3 diplomas as part of the national pilot:

Creative and Media
Construction and the Built Environment
Engineering

Students currently in year 9 will, if they wish, be able to choose one of these diplomas as part of their learning programme for key stage 4 (years 10 and 11). Students currently in year 11 will also be able to choose a diploma course (at level 1, 2 or 3) as part of their post-16 programme after leaving Nova Hreod.

Please browse the slides for an overview and watch this space for more details as they become available.

View presentation from parents evening.

Diploma Courses in Swindon starting September 2008 - Posted 16/11/2007

View Year 9

View Year 10

DIPLOMAS - FAQs

1 Is Swindon committed to providing Level 3, and if so how will universities receive it?

Yes, the diplomas will be available at all 3 levels. Many universities have been involved in the development of the diplomas and we will be ensuring that there are progression routes to universities from the diplomas. If a student is looking to go to a particular university, then it would be best to contact the admissions tutor to find out whether they are accepting the diplomas.

2 What is the relevance to employers of the new qualification?

The new qualifications were developed by sector skills councils and so employers have been very much involved from the outset. There is a strong focus on employability skills, personal learning and thinking skills and core skills which employers have so often said are lacking in young people entering the workforce.

3 How will the Diplomas be “sold” to employers?

Nationally there are the sector skills council and employer champions. Locally we are working with individual employers and a number are now on you diploma development networks and offering a range of opportunities to the programmes.

4 What assurances are there that everything will be ready for the course commencement?

The strategic leadership group in Swindon which has Headteacher and College Principals represented is responsible for ensuring that deadlines are met, and planning is currently underway to ensure that this is the case.

5 Will schools have the schemes of work ready?

Yes. We have agreed common exam boards for the diploma, initial training has taken place and between January and April the schemes of work will be written

6 Will relevant text books and equipment all be there for the course commencement?

Audits of current resource shave taken place, matched to the needs of the Diploma and actions have been put in place to ensure that any gaps are filled

7 Will students have a mentor for their work experience?

The plan is that all students will have a mentor for their work experience

8 Will the work experience be standardised and graded?

We are working with employers to ensure that there is progression through work experience and monitoring visits which are undertaken will ensure standardisation.

9 Will there be health and safety measures in place for the work experience?

Yes. Careful protocols will be in place, building on current practice.

10 Will Connections Advisors be up to speed with regard to the diplomas?

Yes. Training is taking place so that all Connexions PAs are up to speed, and every learner considering a Diploma course will have a Connexions interview as part of the application process.

11 What is the value of a Diploma compared to GCSEs?

At Foundation: 4-5 GCSEs at grades D - G

At Higher: 5-6 GCSEs at grade A*-C

12 Are Diplomas transferable between geographical areas?

Yes, provided the same diploma is being piloted in the other area.

13 If a student starts a Diploma at one school, then moves from that area, can they continue?

Yes, provided the same diploma is available.

14 Where else are the Diplomas being piloted?

In many partnerships across the country

15 Why are not all universities readily recognising the Diplomas?

As with any new qualification, there are uncertainties, and once the UCAS points are announced in January it is likely that there will be greater recognition. Many universities have been involved in the development of the diplomas and we will be ensuring that there are progression routes to universities from the diplomas. If a student is looking to go to a particular university, then it would be best to contact the admissions tutor to find out whether they are accepting the diplomas.

16 Are we putting our children “at risk” letting them choose something so new?

In Swindon a great deal of investment and work has gone in to ensure that the new courses are successful.

17 Will the accreditations be by one board or several?

The school can choose the exam board that will accredit the diploma; however different parts of the diploma might be accredited by different awarding bodies.

18 How is the accreditation board selected?

For the Principal Learning there will be an agreed exam board for each Diploma across the Partnership. The Diploma Development Networks are currently looking at the specifications to determine which awarding body to use.

19 Are the Diplomas going to become “the norm” for all education authorities?

Yes, from 2013.

20 How will Children of Special Educational Need be supported?

Diplomas are for all and the Partnership is committed to equal opportunities. We are currently discussing a range of protocols, and will be looking at support for all learners as we develop them further.

21 If a student does not have an SEN statement per se, but is supported here, is that transferable?