http://www.diplomaresources.info Resources for everyone involved with the new diplomas Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:54:13 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Apprenticeship providers can continue using the existing Key Skills programme for literacy and numeracy until March 2011 after protests about the qualifications’ replacement, Functional Skills. The Association of Learning Providers objected that the Functional Skills programme is more classroom- and paper-based, whereas earlier programmes were integrated with practical skills, making ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/08/key-skills-remain-for-a-short-period/ Taken from the TES on 16th July bu Jonathan Wells of Guroo Functional Skills Key skills, which are being phased out in favour of functional skills, have won a stay of execution as the Government seeks further discussions on the way forward in apprenticeships. John Hayes, the further education minister, told the ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/07/key-skills-reprieved-for-apprentices-only/ This should really be part of PLTS in the diploma in my view - Jonathan Wells Guroo Functional Skillsl I used to switch off when the business news came on GMTV in the morning as I was getting ready for school," confesses Emily, a Year 8 pupil at Coloma Convent School ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/07/new-gcse-course-in-personal-finance-teaches-pupils-how-to-manage-money/ Jonathan Wells of Guroo Functional Skills writes The withdrawal of the Building Schools for the Future programme is likely to bring forward a number of content projects in schools strangely in my opinion! BSF was often the "get in the way" for lots of developments. Because it was so big and took ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/07/is-the-end-of-bsf-a-bad-thing-for-diplomas/ Published in The TES on 25 June, 2010 | By: William Stewart Official figures show impact of non-GCSE qualifications on league table standings Academies are significantly more likely than other secondaries to use vocational and other non-GCSE qualifications that boost their league table positions, new Government figures reveal. Among the most popular alternatives ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/06/academies-veer-towards-vocational-courses-despite-doubts-over-worth/ Skills leap too far News | Published in FE Focus on 4 June, 2010 | By: Carol Taylor Section: News John Linfoot is misled by the necessarily short letter from me to which he responds (“Tests must get real”, Letters, May 7). I was not defending specific literacy and numeracy tests: I was pointing out ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/06/tes-letters-4-june/ Point 6 of the open letter from ASCL to the new education secretary is: 6. Strengthen post-14 qualifications by introducing a general diploma with a broad core of knowledge and skills. I like the sound of that - Jonathan Wells http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/05/ascl-advocate-a-new-general-diploma/ http://www.qcda.gov.uk/resources/assets/QCDA_10_4573_Work_experience_supporting_Diploma_programmes.pdf Follow the link above for a new document from QCDA on work experience in diplomas. http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/05/new-work-experience-in-diplomas-booklet/ Posted by Jonathan Wells of Guroo. NATIONAL EVALUATION OF DIPLOMAS: The first year of delivery A Summary of the DCSF Research Report – Ref DCSF-RR220, March 2010 DSS 09/10 38 1. INTRODUCTION In January 2008, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) and the University of Exeter to ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/05/dcsf-research-report-into-diplomas/ Microsoft launches apprenticeship scheme for 3,000 young people Rebecca Thomson Computer weekly and posted by Jonathan Wells of Guroo Functional Skills Thursday 22 April 2010 16:21 Microsoft has launched an IT apprenticeship scheme which could see thousands of young people employed at the software giant's partner and customer companies. In the coming weeks 100 ... http://www.diplomaresources.info/2010/05/microsoft-apprentice-scheme/