New Diploma Resources

Resources for everyone involved with the new diplomas

Verdict on Diplomas

Research from the Sutton Trust found that just a fifth of 1,300 teachers polled thought diplomas were suitable for pupils wanting to go to univeristy.  The vocational diplomas, which combine work experience and academic theory, are being put forward as a potential replacement for GCSEs and A-Levels.
This article was found in the TES

New diplomas not suitable for bright pupils, say teachers

Nicola Woolcock
 
School Gate blog: are the diplomas already a failure?
Teachers do not rate the Government’s new diploma as suitable for bright teenagers or those wanting to go to university, according to research published today.
Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, appears to be failing to win round his own workforce in promoting the qualification for 14 [...]

University doubts over Diplomas

Many teachers do not think the new school Diplomas are a suitable qualification for students going on to university, a survey suggests.
Only 30% of secondary teachers thought Diplomas were useful for university.
The Sutton Trust, which commissioned the survey, says a qualifications divide could open up between better and less well-off students.
The government says Diplomas have [...]

Diplomas could divide pupils, says survey

Polly Curtis, education editor
The Guardian, Monday 26 January 2009
Article history

The government’s new diplomas risk creating a further divide between academic and vocational education, according to a survey which finds that teachers see the diplomas as suitable for students who are “less academic” and from “poorer areas”.
The diplomas will be offered in England in 17 subjects [...]

Specialist schools not working, claims report

• Main benefit of specialist status is ‘extra money’
• ‘Nearly all’ secondary schools are now specialist

Donald MacLeod
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 22 January 2009 00.05 GMT
Article history 

The jury is out on whether specialist schools boost the study of physics, the authors said. Photograph: Peter M Fisher/Corbis

The government’s £3bn policy of creating specialist schools to raise standards is based [...]

Diplomas gaining dramatic support

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is the latest high-profile backer of the Diploma qualification for secondary schools and colleges in England.
The RSC is to help develop the humanities Diploma, one of the so-called “academic” Diplomas.
Diplomas have struggled to attract students - but Schools Secretary Ed Balls says the qualification is gaining the approval of employers.
Mr [...]

Students opt for ‘easy’ diplomas

Most popular choice is ‘creative and media’, seen as a soft subject by business leaders
Anthea Lipsett
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 7 January 2009 12.59 GMT
Article history

Only one in six students taking the government’s new diplomas have chosen the hardest version, equivalent to an A-level, it has emerged.
The low take-up of the advanced diploma suggests that ministers’ aims to [...]

Students give big vote of confidence to new ways of learning

What do students think about the diploma?
Craig Mason, 15, a student at Sandhill View School, and Mark Beck, 14, a Farringdon School pupil, are both studying for a Diploma in construction and the built environment.
Craig Said: “I am really enjoying it.  It is better than school because you don’t just sit there listening to the [...]

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