Parent information

In 2008 a new qualification for 14 to 19-year-olds will be available – The Diploma. It’s part of a national programme to provide young people with more options, to encourage them to continue learning for longer.

The Diploma will help your child develop work-relevant skills, as well as English, maths and ICT, in a creative and enjoyable way. It will appeal to students who like practical subjects to which they can relate. It’s flexible, so students can get a deeper knowledge of subjects that they are particularly interested in and broaden their study perhaps including a language. Your child could take GCSEs or A levels as part of their Diploma course, and alongside it.

What’s important is that the Diploma does not restrict future options - it will help your child make decisions about what they want to do next. Foundation and Higher Diploma students can go on to study for the next level of Diploma, take a different type of qualification such as GCSE, A level or Apprenticeship, or go on to a job with training. An Advanced Diploma can lead on to university or into a career.

Diploma students will have gained the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to go on to employment, college or university. The qualification will be valued by employers and universities, because they helped design them to ensure young people have all the skills they need. Universities will regard the Advanced Diploma as broadly equivalent to three A levels.

• Diplomas combine theoretical class work with practical experience.
• Students will be based at their school or college, but may have the chance to do part of their learning in other schools, colleges and the workplace.
• Diplomas will help your child make decisions about what they want to do next, without restricting their options.
• Students will have the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to go on to employment, college or university.
• They will also gain transferable skills that any employer, in any sector, will recognise.

For more information see the following link:

DirectGov - Diplomas for 14 to 19 year olds