Post-16 Education and Training: Policy Update

1. Post-16 Education and Training: Policy Update Further Education Tutorial Network Conference 6 December 2013 Peter Clark, Head of the Participation Support Unit, DfE Funding Update Kevin Street, Senior Manager, Funding Development, EFA

2. Some policy goals • Participation. • Quality. • Achievement. • Impact.

3. The vast majority of 16 & 17 year olds are in education and training – but we all want to see the picture improve. 1,016,400 (78.2%) are in Full Time Education 59,500 (4.6%) are in WBL 33,600 (2.6%) are in JWT 85,800 (6.6%) are NEET 105,600 (8.2%) are in other education or training Source: Statistical First Release, Participation in EET (June 2013)

4. Reforms to post-16 education and training: • Study Programmes • From August 2013 all 16- to- 19 students have been following study programmes, designed to lead to employment, an apprenticeship, or higher- education. • Every student’s study programme is tailored to meet his or her attainment and career- goals. • On study programmes, students: • Take a substantial qualification; • Have work experience - those not ready to study a substantial vocational qualification will have extended work experience; • Take part in other non- qualification activities, such as tutorials, enrichment activities, and PSE; and • Continue to study English and maths if they do not have a C in these GCSEs by 16. • Traineeships • Traineeships, 16-18, are a strand of study programmes of up to six months for young people aiming to get into apprenticeships or sustainable jobs. They include training in employability skills, extended work experience, and English and maths where needed. • Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (LLDD) • The supported internships programme isanother study programmes strand; based with an employer and including job coaching to support young people with complex needs who need a higher level of support to find employment.

5. Reforms to post-16 education and training: • The 16- to- 19 Accountability Consultation • The 16- to- 19 accountability consultation was launched on 12 Sep 2013 and ended on 20 November 2013. • It sought views on proposed changes to the 16- to- 19 performance tables and minimum standards. • We proposed to reform the accountability system for 16- to- 19 education to secure three key benefits: • Sharper accountability to raise standards for all students. Intervention will be based on clear performance data and send clear signals to providers about what constitutes good performance; • Clear reliable information for students and parents, so that their choices are based on quality of course and institution, stimulating competition and improvement; and • Incentives for providers to deliver GCSE English and mathematics for those who failed to achieve at least a grade C at 16.

6. Key Stage 5 Vocational Qualification reform • Vocational education is still seen by some as a poor second to academic study; • Skills shortages are holding back competitiveness and growth; • Most vocational qualifications don’t lead obviously to skilled employment. KS5 VocationalQualification Reform Level 3 vocational qualifications taught from 2014 will need to demonstrate tough new characteristics to be included in performance tables in 2016. They will be reported as: ‘Tech Levels’ – for students who have a clear idea about an occupation they wish to pursue and are ready to specialise; ‘Applied General’ qualifications – for students who wish to continue their education and learn in an applied way. Tech Levels will form the core of the new Technical Baccalaureate measure which will also be introduced in 2016.

7. The Technical Baccalaureate measure • The new Technical Baccalaureate measure will recognise the highest level of technical training achieved by students aged 16-19. It will require completion of: • An approved Tech Level • Level 3 maths (A level, AS level, IB maths certificate or core maths) • The extended project qualification • It is for: • ambitious, talented students who want to pursue a technical career; • young people interested in occupations that require significant theory and knowledge acquisition, such as: The Technical Baccalaureate Measure

8. A ‘Tech level’ High-value level 3 occupational qualifications selected from a DfE list (50% of curriculum time) Core maths qualificationat Level 3 e.g. A level, AS level, IB maths, applied maths qualifications. New qualifications being developed for 2015 Extended Project qualification L3 research project with an industry focus How will the Technical Baccalaureate work? How Will It Work? • It is a performance table measure; not a qualification (like the EBacc): • the right combination of qualifications will be recognised as meeting a national standard i.e.: The TechBacc Measure will be applied to courses starting in 2014 – first reported in 2016

9. What are the main aims of the reforms? High quality Higher expectations of English and Maths, more assessment at end of Apprenticeship and introducing grading. Simple Complex frameworks to be replaced by standards written by employers. Employer driven Ensuring rigorous training that will support economic growth

10. Qualifications reform timeline April 2013New Technical Baccalaureate Performance Measure announced. Early July 2013 Publication of Government response to 16-19 L3 VQ consultation and associated Technical Guidance for Awarding Organisations. Mid September 2013 Deadline for Awarding Organisations to submit 14-16 L2 and 16-19 L3 qualifications for inclusion in 2016 Performance Tables. September 2013 16-19 funding reforms implemented, giving providers greater freedom to work with employers and develop personalised ‘study programmes’ for every student. End November 2013 DfE announces which L2 and L3 VQs will count in 2016 performance tables. Commonly known as the ‘Wolf List’. September 2014 Teaching commences of VQs that will be reported in 2016 performance tables and contribute to the new TechBacc measure. September 2016 First teaching of VQs that meet the full requirement (some may meet the full requirement a year early, with first teaching from September 2015). January 2017 First reporting of Technical and Applied General Qualifications which demonstrate the interim requirement (2016 Performance Tables).

11. The participation age has now increased… • The first phase of RPA – all young people are now required to participate in some form of education and training until the end of the academic year they turn 17 and affects students now in year 12. • Phase two - rises to their 18th birthday in summer 2015 and will affect pupils now in year 11. • Providers have new duties to promote attendance and inform their LA if a young person drops out. • Key to success are new Local Authority duties to promote and track participation.

12. …to help more young people gain the skills and qualifications they need for further study and sustainable employment. Young people willbenefit • Those with 2 or more A Levels earn on average 14% more than those without and are less likely to be NEET. • Participating at ages 16-18 reduces the risk of poor health, adult unemployment and a criminal record. • Increased skills lead to increased productivity that contributes to economic growth. The economy will benefit

13. So RPA is part of a wider challenge • The government also wants to improve the quality of academic qualifications pre and post 16. • But the number of young people NEET is already falling - this is likely to continue. • 16 and 17 year olds participation rates increased steadily between 2001 and 2009 although rates have been flat since thenat around 91% for 16 year olds and 85% for 17 year olds.

14. International comparisons also show the need for change Literacy and numeracy In OECD’s recent survey, England’s young people ranked as among the least literate and numerate in the developed world – ranking 22nd for literacy and 21st for numeracy out of 24 nations with England the only country where the trend is going backwards. England is not alone in raising the participation age, nor is it the first to do so. Other countries include Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Portugal. England has relatively low participation in education in the immediate post-16 years, compared to most developed countries. Participation

15. We are enabling a closer focus on destinations • We have published employment and education destination measures – for those leaving KS4 - and those who have taken A levels or other level 3 qualifications (KS5). • These show destinations for each school and college and include a breakdown by characteristics. • Will enable parents and young people to make informed decisions and will help hold providers to account.

16. Participation support • New duty on schools to secure access to independent careers guidance for pupils. • The duty was extended to young people in colleges from September 2013, and in schools to years 8-13. • Statutory Guidance on the duty is available on the DfE website but the guidance for schools is currently being strengthened, following the recommendations in Ofsted's review of careers guidance. • Addressing financial barriers to participation through the £180m 16-19 Bursary Fundand the extension of free meals to young people in further education, ending the discrepancy with schools, from next year. • As part of the Youth Contract, we are providing additional support for the hardest to help 16-17 year olds in England over the next two years. • Government vision is for this to inspire young people e.g. through links to employers.

17. Local performance varies with most areas making progress on participation… Participation is above average and rising in 79 areas And there are 43 areas where participation is below average but rising But there are 24 areas where participation is falling – 20 of these have participation rates that are below average

18. There are some examples of good practice….. • Wakefield developed new systems, processes, guidance, training, and communication to reform information about, and responses to, young people NEET or at risk of it. • Their 16-19 NEET figure in June 2013 was their lowest ever recorded, and ‘In Learning’ the highest. • Four LAs in Berkshire worked in partnership and provided dedicated ‘transition support’ for the key period before and after leaving school. • 89% of those at risk of being NEET stayed in education or training. • The proportion of young people NEET reduced significantly – especially those in the group targeted i.e. year 12

19. But there is more to do….. • The number of young people who’s activity is ‘not known’ varies enormously between LAs. There are 12 LAs who know what over 99% of their young people are doing. • But in some areas ‘not knowns’ are as high as 40%. • The government is planning to spend £7.4 billion in 2013/14 on education and training places for 16 and 17 year olds • But if LAs don’t know about the activity of young people, they can’t support them to access this education and training. • Key priority for the Minister – following up with individual LAs. • LGA have published a ‘how to’ guide to tracking to help.

20. 16-19 Funding Update

21. 13/14 – the Year of the Big Change Autonomous Professional Education Institutions Raising Participation Age Study programmes Funding per student

22. What difference does it make? • Higher participation? • Programmes better suited to students’ needs? • More hours for students on vocational programmes? • More students doing English and Maths? • A system based on more trust as well as accountability?

23. 14/15 – What’s not going to change • The basic 16-19 formula including programme weightings • Traineeships • 14-16 year olds

24. Still to come …… • Savings for the 15-16 financial year • 14/15 value for basic rate per student • 14/15 value for disadvantage element based on English and Maths GCSEs • Large programmes after 15/16

25. How Formula Protection Funding will work in 14/15 For colleges who got it in 13/14: • If you earn £x more per student through formula in your 14/15 allocation than for 13/14, your 14/15 FPF is reduced by £x per student from its 13/14 level. So your total £ per student is the same as 13/14. • If you earn £y fewer per student through formula in your 14/15 allocation than for 13/14, your 14/15 FPF is fixed at its 13/14 level per student. So your total allocation per student is £y less than in 13/14.

26. High Needs Students 14/15 • Same system as 13/14, better implemented • LAs plan numbers per institution, institutions can challenge • EFA allocates £10-11k per place upfront • College agrees balance with LA • Published timescales – decisions by May, contracts signed by June

27. Discretionary Bursaries 14/15 • Consulted on new allocations methodology • Proposed Pupil Premium-based • Proposed Rural transport costs • Responses supportive • Considering phasing changes

28. Free lunches for disadvantaged students 14/15 • Funding announcement Autumn Statement • Allocations likely to be based on prior Pupil Premium entitlement of your students

29. Next steps • 5 December ILR R04 deadline (2013/14 data) • Mid December 2014/15 funding factors issued to FE institutions (based on 2012/13 R14 data returned in October) • End January 2014/15 Lagged student number statements (based on R04) • 6 February ILR R06 deadline • March EFA confirms National Funding Rate per student • By end March 2014/15 allocations finalised

30. Contact Details:- peter.clark@education.gsi.gov.uk- 024 7666 0098kevin.street@education.gsi.gov.uk02476 660385 http://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/participation