Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

Last updated: 07 Sep 2007

QCA today published full details of the first five Diploma qualifications and new resources for learning centres delivering the new Diplomas from September 2008.

Diplomas are the first qualifications to be developed for young people through a systematic partnership between industry and education.

Learning centres gearing up to deliver Diplomas are now able to explore in detail which qualifications they can combine as part of their Diploma offer via the National Database of Accredited Qualifications at www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk.

Guidance detailing curriculum aims, key learning themes, processes, subject range, content and curriculum opportunities is also available for the first time from QCA.

These resources join further information provided by QCA and its partners as part of a new and developing online information facility, launched today at www.qca.org.uk/diploma.

Ken Boston, Chief Executive of QCA, said:

"The new Diplomas offer innovative, high-quality alternatives to A Levels, GCSEs and Apprenticeships. They offer young people a curriculum that will bring learning to life, providing the functional, personal, learning and thinking skills demanded by higher education and employers.

"Diplomas will be successful if they drive up participation in education post-16 and if learners become excited about areas such as engineering, creative and media, and information technology - taught by industry-qualified teachers in industry-standard facilities, or in the workplace.

"Diplomas will generate this excitement and everyone should look forward to their first teaching in many schools and colleges from September 2008."

Notes to Editors

1) The first five Diplomas (to be taught from September 2008) are: construction and the built environment, creative and media, engineering, information technology, and society, health and development. The Diplomas will be available at three increasingly demanding levels (Level 1- Foundation; Level 2 - Higher; Level 3 - Advanced).

2) The Diploma catalogues on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications detail the full range of qualifications that can be combined to constitute a Diploma in one of the first five Lines of Learning. The Diploma catalogues can be viewed at www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/. The Diploma guidance materials have been developed by QCA in conjunction with Diploma Development Partnerships and delivery partners, including those partnerships involved in the Diploma pathfinder projects (2006-07). They are available from the 'Delivering the Diploma' section of the QCA Diploma website www.qca.org.uk/diploma.

3) Other information available on the QCA Diploma website includes:

• approaches to designing a curriculum that includes the Diploma
• a revised frequently asked questions section
• information about the structures and standards of the Diploma
• accreditation criteria for Diploma qualifications
• links to partners and further information about Diplomas

4) Diploma information for potential learners, their parents and teachers, and other stakeholders will be made available in late September as part of an integrated Diploma communications programme to support consortia led by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Alongside the Sector Skills Development Agency, QCA has been a partner in the development of this programme.

5) For press enquiries please contact the QCA Press Office on 020 7509 6789, or 07798 924552 outside office hours. For general enquiries, please call the QCA enquires line on 020 7509 5556.