Development of the Specialised Diploma LA/LSC Conferences July 2006 QCA

1. Development of the Specialised Diploma LA/LSC Conferences July 2006 QCA

2. Diplomas with purpose • Progression, participation, achievement and meeting employer skills needs • Contemporary context • A balanced coherent curriculum • Industry verified • Mixture of general and applied, with practical opportunities • Essential Learning - includes Functional Skills, Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills and the Project

3. Developing the Specialised Diplomas – a partnership • Department for Education and Skills • Skills for Business Network • QCA • Schools, Colleges, work-based learning providers and partnerships • Awarding Bodies • Learners

4. Roll out timetable

5. Diploma volumes in glhs Level 3 Generic Level 2 Levels Principal Additional Level 1 0 200 400 600 800 1080 Guided learning hours (glhs) 3 levels of specialised Diplomas

6. Core Principal Learning - Sector-related - Determines Diploma title - Applied learning Plan Apply Do Review/Record Plan Do Apply Review/Record Additional/ Specialist Learning - Optional Units - Choice - Specialisation - Complementary Generic Learning - Functional skills - Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills - Project - Experiential learning cycle The model Apply

7. Phase 1 Diploma timeline • July 2006 • Specialised Diploma content is available • content will be published on each DDP website • awarding bodies begin qualification development • links will be in place from QCA and SSDA websites • new SD publication (green book) from QCA will be issued over the summer

8. Links to DDP websites • Construction and the built environment • http://www.cbediploma.co.uk/ • Creative and media • http://www.skillset.org/qualifications/diploma/ • Engineering • http://www.engineeringdiploma.com/ • Health and social care • http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/ • ICT • http://www.e-skills.com/Qualifications-&-Training/IT-Diploma/1648

9. Diploma timeline • July 2006 • Qualification development starts • March 2007 • Support from employers for each qualification, before accreditation by QCA • March – June 2007 • Qualifications to be accredited • September 2007 • Diplomas qualification materials available in schools • September 2008 • First teaching

10. Autumn 2007: Awarding Bodies approve providers or provider partnerships for September 2008 start June 2006: LAs to collate expressions of interest, July provider self-assessment February – Autumn 2007: Partnerships supported to develop their plan December 2006: detailed proposal by providers February 2007: List published of those who will aim for September 2008 January – February 2007: Regional assessment panels The Gateway process May 2006: Issue information to schools, colleges and other providers

11. On-going work • Working with a network of providers to deliver guidance on qualification delivery from the delivery perspective • Diploma Pathfinders • Specialist Schools • CoVES • Small and large schools • Colleges • Training providers • Other curriculum networks

12. Apprenticeships • The Specialised Diploma and Apprenticeships remain distinct pathways • The Specialised Diploma and Apprenticeships support one another and progression opportunities between the two are ensured • Units designed to meet both frameworks • The Apprenticeship as a qualification – models under development

13. 11-19 Reform Programme • A wider programme of 11-19 reform • Key Stage 3 Review • Changes to the Post-14 Curriculum • Changes to Post-14 Qualifications • Introduction of Functional Skills in English, Mathematics and ICT • Introduction of a personal, learning and thinking skills framework • For further information: www.qca.org.uk/11-19reform or alternatively contact the 11-19 Reform Programme Office at 11-19reform@qca.org.uk

14. Please direct enquiries to diploma@qca.org.uk