Promoting achievement, valuing success: a strategy for 14-19 qualifications

Action date: 23 June 2008

The Children's Plan outlined the aim of a world-class education for all 14 to 19-year-olds which would give every young person the opportunity to make the most of their talents. This strategy sets out proposals for a programme of reform for 14-19 education and seeks views on these proposals.

The DCSF has launched a consultation which proposes simplifying the qualifications system, so that all courses offer young people a clear route into further study or directly into skilled employment. The best of existing qualifications would be incorporated into four national qualification structures: Diplomas; GCSEs and A-levels; Apprenticeships; and a Foundation Learning Tier of courses as a route into higher level qualifications.

The consultation also proposes the Extended Diploma, to recognise a wider range of achievements within the Diploma framework; making the Extended Project an option for all young people who study A-levels and an extension of the Diploma entitlement from the first 14 to all 17 Diplomas. This consultation closes on 23 June.

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