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September 2008
Welcome to our 14-19
e-Newsletter
This e-Newsletter provides information and
links on 14-19 developments.
You can forward this e-Newsletter to any
colleagues who may want to subscribe to
future editions. It is published every two months
and the next edition is due out in
November.
We have recently updated the 14-19 section of our
website to
access information, guidance and case
studies on different aspects of 14-19
learning, including a timeline on reform
and developments.
If you have any queries, comments or
feedback, email info@qca.org.uk |
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14-19 conferences and
events
SecEd 3rd National Conference on
Delivering Diplomas
This QCA-sponsored
conference, held in Birmingham on 1 September,
marked the start of Diploma delivery in schools
and colleges. The conference began with a key note
address from Ken Boston, our chief executive,
and a speech from Teresa Bergin, Head of Diploma
at QCA (which will be available
on our website soon), on principal
learning. Conference delegates attended workshops
on principal learning for each line of learning,
and have provided feedback and suggestions for
content for future events.
AoC
Annual Conference, 18-20 November
2008
The theme of this
conference is Changing Landscapes and
will include a speech from Mary Curnock Cook,
Director of Qualification and Skills at QCA,
on 14-19 learning pathways: mapping the
landscape. | |
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Functional
Skills
The content of our functional skills
pages has been updated and organised
into a number of new sections, including
comprehensive Frequently Asked
Questions.
An updated leaflet on functional
skills is also available from the
website.
Functional skills
bulletin
From October, the functional
skills bulletin produced by QCA is becoming an
email-based newsletter every two months. If you
already receive the bulletin, you will continue to
do so, but if you would like subscribe to this
bulletin, please enter your details on the
subscription page on our
website.
Functional skills at level 3 and
level 4
Our functional skills
team has been asking stakeholders for their views
on developing functional skills qualifications or
a related qualification for level 3 and 4. This
work included a conference for employers at the
end of August and will involve further
consultation with schools at the beginning of
September.
Find out more about
functional skills
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Foundation, Higher
and Extended Projects
We have produced guidance for centres preparing to deliver
foundation, higher or extended
projects. The guidance packs were
distributed to schools and colleges at the end of
August and contain four separate
documents:
-
guidance on managing project
delivery
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an
introduction to the foundation
project
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an
introduction to the higher project
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an
introduction to the extended
project.
The guidance documents can all be
downloaded from our website and are also available
from the QCA orderline as a
single pack or as separate documents. We have also
produced leaflets on the extended
project for teachers and for higher
education. QCA is distributing these leaflets to
schools, colleges and higher education
institutions. | |
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Foundation Learning
Tier
Foundation learning tier and
progression pathways tests and
trials
Tests and
trials of the foundation learning tier began at
the start of September. In 2008-09, the tests and
trials will involve around 350 centres delivering
progression pathways for 5,000 learners, both pre-
and post-16. As part of the tests and trials, 14
local authorities are piloting a progression
pathway for 14-16s in 150 centres for around 2,000
learners.
Units and
qualifications for Entry level and level 1
learners are being developed for accreditation
into the QCF to support the delivery of the
foundation learning tier progression pathways. The
findings of the tests and trials will be used to
develop the foundation learning tier and the
progression pathways in preparation for wider
implementation.
Find out more about the
FLT | |
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The Diploma – latest
information from QCA
We have updated the Diploma pages on our
website to make it easier to find
information and resources on the Diploma
on:
• administration
and consortium
working
• teaching,
learning and assessment
guidance
• policy
and
structure
• qualification
development
• regulation. | |
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Principal learning
and additional and specialist learning
qualifications for the Diploma
On 1 September, Ofqual published
information on the accreditation of principal
learning qualifications for the Diploma
for five lines of learning available for first
teaching from September 2009:
- business, administration and
finance
- environmental and land-based
studies
- hair and beauty studies
- hospitality
- manufacturing and product design.
At the same time, Ofqual also
published:
Awarding bodies are currently developing
principal learning qualifications for the Diploma
first teaching in 2010:
- public services
- retail business
- sport and active leisure
- travel and tourism.
Ofqual will accredit principal learning
qualifications for these lines of learning in
2009. | |
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Teaching, learning
and assessment guidance for the
Diploma
Society, health and development
resources
New resources to support the
delivery of the Diploma in society, health and
development are now available. The
materials are being developed in phases, and
include resources produced by the Diploma
development partnership and awarding bodies for
principal learning qualifications for this line of
learning. They are designed to help schools and
colleges make applied learning realistic and
relate to the world of
work.
Opportunities for
co-learning
Our guidance to help
schools and colleges plan the curriculum for
Foundation and Higher Diploma learners is available from our
website.
English content
within principal learning
Web-based guidance on
English in principal learning
in Diploma in creative and media is now
available. It complements existing guidance on
maths and science content for the Diploma lines of
learning being taught from September
2008.
Design for success: shaping
your curriculum to incorporate the
Diploma
The three new Design for success
inserts on functional skills, creative
approaches to curriculum planning and post 16 were
distributed to schools and colleges at the end of
August. The new inserts are available to download
from our website and from the QCA
orderline.
Find more teaching, learning and
assessment
guidance | |
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Developing the
Diploma in humanities, languages and
science
If you register your interest in the
Diploma for these lines of learning you
will receive information about each stage of the
development process. This will include details of
consultations on the line of learning statements
(due to take place in January 2009), and the line
of learning criteria (due to take place in April
2009). | |
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