A consortium of Bath and North East Somerset schools and
colleges, backed by the Council, has won approval to deliver the
new 14-19 Diploma qualifications from September 2009
onwards. The news from Jim Knight, Minister of State for
Schools, follows a tough selection process designed to make sure
that only the best-prepared and most expert teams of educators
received Government backing to offer Diplomas.
The 14-19 Diplomas combine theoretical study with practical
experience, aiming to develop skills that will be highly valued by
employers and universities. They are part of a national programme
to provide young people from the age of 14 with more options, and
to encourage them to continue learning. From 2009, young
people in Bath and North East Somerset can choose from Diplomas in
business, admin and finance, construction and creative and media.
From 2010, Bath and North East Somerset is conditionally approved
to offer an Engineering diploma too.
These new qualifications will be available as choices at three
levels: Foundation (equivalent to 5 GCSE A*-G); Higher (equivalent
to 7 GCSE A*-C) and Advanced (equivalent to 3.5 GCE A levels). Bath
& North East Somerset Council is putting its full backing into
plans to make the Diplomas engaging, relevant and challenging for
its young people. Ideas are already under consideration to
extend further the range of Diplomas on offer from 2010.
Cllr Chris Watt, Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services,
said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is thrilled with this
news, which means that we will be able to provide more
opportunities for young people. It also reflects the efforts of the
schools and colleges, working together to develop the range of
quality education for 14-19-year-olds within this authority.”
