Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Council has been successful in the latest round of applications to provide the new diploma qualifications for 14 to 19 year olds, announced this week by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF).

Secondary schools in the borough, together with Bracknell and Wokingham College, have been given the go-ahead to begin the phased introduction of the new courses from September 2010.

The Bracknell diplomas, which will be available alongside the existing GCSE and A-level courses, are a major part of the Government’s strategy to reform the education and training of young people over the next few years.

Lesley Heale, social care and learning director, said: "As part of this strategy, we must ensure diploma courses in 17 subject areas are available to our young people by 2013.

"Receiving the green light from the DCSF this week gives a significant boost to Bracknell Forest’s own 14 - 19 education plan, which will enable us to make sure that the best possible range of high quality provision is available to our students."

It is expected young Bracknell people aged 14 to 16 who choose to study a diploma course will spend approximately two days per week on this part of their learning, with the remaining time spent on more traditional GCSE subjects such as English, mathematics and science.

Diplomas will emphasise the importance of learning in a practical way, in real and realistic work situations and include a minimum to 10 days work experience. For students aged 16 to 19, the new diplomas will add to the range of full-time courses currently available in local schools and colleges.

Mrs Heale said: "This is an exciting development for young people's education. Diplomas will offer a new dimension to learning for some of our young people and we hope this will challenge and motivate them to achieve the very best results of which they are capable.

"The schools and Bracknell and Wokingham College have embraced the opportunity to work in partnership which the successful introduction of diplomas requires and the council is committed to supporting them and working with them for the benefit of our young people."

The Bracknell diplomas expected to be available from September 2010 are in Business Administration and Finance, Hospitality, Information Technology and Hair and Beauty. The remaining diplomas will be fully implemented within four years.

Cllr Alan Kendall, executive member for education and libraries, said: "The introduction of the new diplomas is a major step forward towards ensuring our children are well prepared for life after school.

"The diplomas encourage young people to stay in education for longer and motivates them to become an asset to the community.

Bracknell Forest Council