September 2008

Welcome to our 14-19 e-Newsletter

This e-Newsletter provides information and links on 14-19 developments.

You can forward this e-Newsletter to any colleagues who may want to subscribe to future editions. It is published every two months and the next edition is due out in November.

We have recently updated the 14-19 section of our website to access information, guidance and case studies on different aspects of 14-19 learning, including a timeline on reform and developments.

If you have any queries, comments or feedback, email info@qca.org.uk

14-19 conferences and events

SecEd 3rd National Conference on Delivering Diplomas
This QCA-sponsored conference, held in Birmingham on 1 September, marked the start of Diploma delivery in schools and colleges. The conference began with a key note address from Ken Boston, our chief executive, and a speech from Teresa Bergin, Head of Diploma at QCA (which will be available on our website soon), on principal learning. Conference delegates attended workshops on principal learning for each line of learning, and have provided feedback and suggestions for content for future events.

AoC Annual Conference, 18-20 November 2008
The theme of this conference is Changing Landscapes and will include a speech from Mary Curnock Cook, Director of Qualification and Skills at QCA, on 14-19 learning pathways: mapping the landscape.

Functional Skills

The content of our functional skills pages has been updated and organised into a number of new sections, including comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions.

An updated leaflet on functional skills is also available from the website.

Functional skills bulletin
From October, the functional skills bulletin produced by QCA is becoming an email-based newsletter every two months. If you already receive the bulletin, you will continue to do so, but if you would like subscribe to this bulletin, please enter your details on the subscription page on our website.

Functional skills at level 3 and level 4
Our functional skills team has been asking stakeholders for their views on developing functional skills qualifications or a related qualification for level 3 and 4. This work included a conference for employers at the end of August and will involve further consultation with schools at the beginning of September.

Find out more about functional skills  

GCSEs

Accreditation of GCSE qualifications
At the end of August, Ofqual accredited more than 180 GCSE specifications for 60 subjects for first teaching in 2009. These GCSE specifications include controlled assessment in place of coursework, and include more varied question types to ensure that GCSEs will continue to stretch and challenge learners.

More information is available from the National Database of Accredited Qualifications

Consultation on GCSEs in English, mathematics and ICT
Please note: the consultation on criteria for GCSEs in English, mathematics and ICT for first teaching from September 2010 ends on 30 September 2008.

A levels

We have recently produced leaflets on changes to AS and A levels for teachers and for higher education. These leaflets will be sent to schools, colleges and higher education institutions.

Foundation, Higher and Extended Projects

We have produced guidance for centres preparing to deliver foundation, higher or extended projects. The guidance packs were distributed to schools and colleges at the end of August and contain four separate documents:

The guidance documents can all be downloaded from our website and are also available from the QCA orderline as a single pack or as separate documents. We have also produced leaflets on the extended project for teachers and for higher education. QCA is distributing these leaflets to schools, colleges and higher education institutions.

Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

Ofqual published the regulatory arrangements for the Qualifications and Credit Framework in August.

The regulatory arrangements provide the means to support the development of the QCF from a set of test and trial arrangements to full implementation. They also provide a secure foundation on which standards and comparability and public confidence in the QCF will be maintained.

Find out more about the QCF

Foundation Learning Tier

Foundation learning tier and progression pathways tests and trials

Tests and trials of the foundation learning tier began at the start of September. In 2008-09, the tests and trials will involve around 350 centres delivering progression pathways for 5,000 learners, both pre- and post-16. As part of the tests and trials, 14 local authorities are piloting a progression pathway for 14-16s in 150 centres for around 2,000 learners.

Units and qualifications for Entry level and level 1 learners are being developed for accreditation into the QCF to support the delivery of the foundation learning tier progression pathways. The findings of the tests and trials will be used to develop the foundation learning tier and the progression pathways in preparation for wider implementation. 

Find out more about the FLT

The Diploma – latest information from QCA

We have updated the Diploma pages on our website to make it easier to find information and resources on the Diploma on:

•     administration and consortium working
•     teaching, learning and assessment guidance
•     policy and structure
•     qualification development
•     regulation.

Principal learning and additional and specialist learning qualifications for the Diploma

On 1 September, Ofqual published information on the accreditation of principal learning qualifications for the Diploma for five lines of learning available for first teaching from September 2009:

• business, administration and finance
• environmental and land-based studies
• hair and beauty studies
• hospitality
• manufacturing and product design.

At the same time, Ofqual also published:

• an updated catalogue of qualifications for additional and specialist learning on the National Database of the Accredited Qualifications
• the Regulatory arrangements for component and Diploma awarding bodies

Awarding bodies are currently developing principal learning qualifications for the Diploma first teaching in 2010:

• public services
• retail business 
• sport and active leisure 
• travel and tourism.

Ofqual will accredit principal learning qualifications for these lines of learning in 2009.

Teaching, learning and assessment guidance for the Diploma 

Society, health and development resources
New resources to support the delivery of the Diploma in society, health and development are now available. The materials are being developed in phases, and include resources produced by the Diploma development partnership and awarding bodies for principal learning qualifications for this line of learning. They are designed to help schools and colleges make applied learning realistic and relate to the world of work.

Opportunities for co-learning
Our guidance to help schools and colleges plan the curriculum for Foundation and Higher Diploma learners is available from our website.

English content within principal learning
Web-based guidance on English in principal learning in Diploma in creative and media is now available. It complements existing guidance on maths and science content for the Diploma lines of learning being taught from September 2008.

Design for success: shaping your curriculum to incorporate the Diploma
The three new Design for success inserts on functional skills, creative approaches to curriculum planning and post 16 were distributed to schools and colleges at the end of August. The new inserts are available to download from our website and from the QCA orderline.

Find more teaching, learning and assessment guidance

Developing the Diploma in humanities, languages and science

If you register your interest in the Diploma for these lines of learning you will receive information about each stage of the development process. This will include details of consultations on the line of learning statements (due to take place in January 2009), and the line of learning criteria (due to take place in April 2009).