14-19 Diplomas – Getting ready for Gateway 2
17 September 2007, Brooklands Hotel, Dodworth, Barnsley
The event was run to help prepare providers, schools and other institutions for the next round of 14-19 Diploma applications, known as Gateway 2.
The event began with Helen Mc Mullen speaking generally about the background to the Diplomas and the proposed aims and objectives of the day.
The second speaker (Michael Noble) was from an HE background and he spoke about the value of getting the universities more involved, making sure there are clear progression routes available for all young people. This has traditionally been a weak area as links are still being formed between HEIs and the post 16 providers, but there are now real in-roads being made to ensure recognition of qualifications from a variety of sources that enable young people to progress into HE. It is important to remember when completing the Gateway 2 applications that this will be considered so partnerships must ensure there are good links with the HE sector, not just on the periphery of the plans for Diploma implementation, but that the HEIs are fully involved in the application stages. There are no hard and fast rules for engaging the HE sector but co-operation and understanding are useful. HE does not operate like FE but is willing to be flexible to accommodate new initiatives and ultimately increase participation. It is useful to build into the applications, details of how the young people will be introduced to HE and what activities have been developed to ensure they are able to obtain actual experience of what it is like. There must be quality IAG to ensure the young people are fully aware of the progression routes and how to access them. Some universities still have little involvement in the Diplomas but in many cases this is not due to them not wanting to be involved, it is more likely to be through lack of information and discussion with the partnerships putting the applications together.
The first workshop looked at lessons learned from Gateway 1. There was input from Creative and Media; Construction and the Built Environment; Engineering; IT and Society, Health and Development.
The Society, health and development was a pathfinder Diploma and was administered by Learning City, York. At the beginning of the process, clear structures were set up to ensure all aspects of the Diploma were considered and addressed. It was recognised that in order for the Diploma to be successful there would have to be a lot of changes to how the curriculum was managed in schools. It was agreed that Tuesdays and Thursdays across York would be common timetable days, which brought in the young apprentices too. This ensured that there was consistency across the city and that young people had access to quality opportunities at any venue. Also set up were reports and parents evenings, making sure parents knew how their children were progressing along the way. Data was transferred to ensure all that needed access to data were able to without any problems. Uniforms were introduced so the pupils doing the Diplomas would have an identity. Transport was arranged as required and the process was quality assured regularly. (Pathfinder reports can be found on the QCA website, www.qca.org.uk
A project manager was appointed and a task group put together – this included schools, colleges, wbl training providers, HE, NYBEP, Connexions, Trident, sector skills representatives, and employer representatives. There were also vital links formed with DDP, QCA, DfES/DCFS, employer forums, Higher York and Aim Higher, QIA, AOC and SSAT.
IAG was covered by the Area Wide Prospectus, Diploma Personal Advisers, comprehensive IAG delivered from key stage three to 19+, Connexions Progression Packs and personalised support and guidance for all learners. There was information on progression provided through AimHigher and sector skills initiatives, taster sessions put on, employer links made, careers fairs, Options events, HEFCE Diploma pathfinder, models for HE progression agreements and the regional Diploma HE event.
Delivery built on previous experience e.g. IF, young apprenticeships, work-related learning etc. but also included the development of a city wide strategy which focused on active teaching and learning, embedding personal learning and thinking skills (PLTS), involving employers in curriculum development, joint planning and the provision of Diploma Mentors. There were good links built up with the District Hospital, the Police and the Army Training Hospital near Strensall.
Staff were developed using the support from NYBEP for work-force development and the Teacher effectiveness enhancement programme (TEEP), delivered by Cramlington High School.
Specific resources were identified including dedicated classroom space with specific equipment provided, the development of a VLE, the purchase of two mobile learning facilities to take the facilities to rural areas or wherever learners found it difficult to access the regular resources and access to a range of specific pathway related facilities e.g. observation classroom in York College nursery and clinical simulation units at the university and the hospital.
The overarching message from the pathfinder was to stress the importance of partnership working and getting those partnerships right at the beginning of the process.
For more information on the society, health and development diploma pathfinder, contact Penny Gregg on pgregg@yorkcollege.ac.uk
The second workshop looked at preparing for Gateway 2. There were sessions on Business Administration & Finance, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and Catering, Land-based & Environment and Manufacturing.
The messages from the Business Administration & Finance workshop again looked closely at the value of the partnerships and co-operation of all parties. It was disappointing to listen however, to the presenter telling delegates that teachers should be developing more towards working with employers and increasing their links with business as this is a weak area. There was little recognition of the fact that there are already experts out there in the form of work-based learning training providers. It was highlighted that teachers needed much development in these areas to be able to offer the vocational qualifications within the schools. It is extremely important that providers in York and North Yorkshire get involved in the planning stages of the Diplomas so that they can positively effect the provision and provide the expert employer interface that is needed. The Gateway 1 applications were weak in the employer engagement sections due to lack of provider involvement, but this needs to be changed for the Gateway 2 applications.
The Gateway Guidance session (led by Rob Valentine) basically told people to use their common sense, keep the application simple, but address all the questions in enough depth so that the panellists can draw out the information they need and have a good picture of what the delivery will look like. Focus on progression routes, especially making sure the HE route is accessible and HEIs are included in the partnerships responsible for the Diplomas.
There is lots of guidance available on the dfes website www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19 relating to the Diplomas and providers are urged to get involved in the partnerships looking to submit applications for the Gateway 2 round ready to deliver in 2009.
