NFER Survey into schools view on 14-19 changes

The NFER Annual Survey had a section on changes to the 14-19 curriculum.

Key points:
- There was a link between certain types of school and the levels of preparedness, schools with high proportions of students qualifying for free school meals, large schools and comprehensive schools tended to report better preparation.
- The main challenges faced by schools were around working in collaboration and partnership with other schools, colleges and employers; uncertainty or lack of funding to allow changes to the curriculum; and the practicalities of implementing the curriculum including timetabling.
- With regard raising of the participation age the main concerns were curriculum related; funding related; staffing related and that young people would be forced to stay in education against their wishes.

Impact of raising of the participation age

The Policy Exchange has published a paper by Alison Woolf which dismisses many of the claims made by government on the positive impact that raising the education participation age will have on individuals and the economy.

Woolf believes that:
- raising the participation age will result in a net annual cost to the economy of £1.7bn, opposed to the government's beliefs that the economy will benefit by £1.6bn
- many young people work in small companies (less than 25 employees) who will be unable to bear the costs associated with additional training and the time this will take, thus reducing the chances that such employers will hire young people
- none A-level qualifications are not proven to have significant economic impact
- coercing young people into education or training will prove counter-productive as the motivation to learn will be weak
- to truly tackle the issue of NEETs money would be better spent on primary education

Education and Skills Bill, 2007

The bill went before the House of Commons on 28th Nov. 2007. The main focus of the bill was on the post-16 provision. Here are the main points:

- There is clarification for school governing bodies about their role in arranging for young people to work elsewhere.
- Learning and Skills Council are responsible for ensuring learning opportunities exist.
- Local authorities are responsible for ensuring young people are engaged with education and/or training post 16.
- Providers of post-16 provision must tell connexions if a young person leaves training so they can be supported by the connexions service.
- Employers taking on a young person (for more than 20hrs a week) has to be satisfied that they are attending training or education.
- The service of Connexions will transfer to Local Authorities, which should adhere to the Quality Standards for Information, Advice and Guidance (issued 31st Oct 2007). This along with careers advice in schools must be delivered impartially.
- Additional requirements are also placed on the local authority if the young person has special educational needs.
- The Learning & Skills Council will have to ensure that adults have the right to free basic numeracy and literacy education and that those between 19-25 have access to free training up to level 3.

Review of 14-19 pathfinders

Two papers have assessed the state of preparation for the 14-19 roll out:

The Nuffield review concludes that the forces of competition amongst schools exceeds the forces of collaboration and until this changes (and hence government policy alters) this is the main hindrance for the 14-19 expansion.

The National Audit Office report says that it is vital for a range of partners to work together and that least progress has been made in engaging employers.

Raising participation age - benefits and challenges

Raising the participation age will affect those who would have left education at 16 most who are most likely to go onto work based training and the use of sanctions is not proven to have a desired effect. Finally a choice of pathways at 16 will be of most benefit to help the 16 year old chose to stay on... this report tells us nothing new.

Diplomas, diplomas...

In October the DCFS announced that they would delay the review of A-levels (planned for 2008) until 2013 so that they could allow time for diplomas to become the "qualification of choice" amongst older children. A Diploma Development Partnership is to start to specify the content for the 17 new diplomas early in 2008. Subscribe for 14-19 updates.

Raising of participation age

As expected the Queen's speech had a bill about raising the participation age to 18yrs by 2015, so that young people Not in Education Employment or Training (NEETs) will effectively be eradicated. Ed Balls set out the four building blocks towards this goal

• Curriculum reform including the new diplomas
• Clear responsibilities for the LA to provide Information Advice and Guidance to young people
• A range of financial supportive measures (extension of the Education Maintenance Allowance, amendments to the New Deal etc.)
• Support for work based training and the creation of apprenticeships