WIREDGOV

A unique new qualification

Diplomas are a new type of qualification, developed to transform teaching and learning by appealing to different learning preferences and by motivating young people to participate and achieve. They will enable students to gain knowledge, understanding and hands-on experience of sectors that they are interested in, while putting new skills into practice.

The Diplomas are unique because the Line of Learning statements have been developed in response to - and in conjunction with - employers, led by Diploma Development Partnerships.

The learning required for each Diploma is based on the Line of Learning statement. It tells us what needs to be included in the curriculum and specifications, and how to ensure that the teaching and learning are appropriate and fit for purpose

Guiding you through Diplomas

To support the delivery of Diploma learning, we have developed guidance for the first ten lines of learning, at levels one, two and three.

The purpose of this non-statutory guidance is to support partnership curriculum planners and teachers in making decisions about introducing the Diploma and devising schemes of work.

The guidance will also help teachers and curriculum planners understand Awarding Bodies' specifications. The following phase 1 specifications have been accredited for first teaching in 2008:

• Construction and the Built Environment (AQA/C&G, Edexel)

• Creative and Media (AQA/C&G, Edexel, OCR)

• Engineering (AQA/C&G, Edexel, OCR)

• Information Technology (AQA/C&G, Edexcel, OCR)

• Society, Health and Development (Edexcel)

Specifications the following phase 2 Lines of Learning will be available in centres by September, for first teaching in 2009:

• Business, administration and finance

• Environmental and land-based studies

• Hair and beauty studies

• Hospitality

• Manufacturing and product design
  

This curriculum guidance is presented in a similar format to the revised programmes of study at key stage 4. This supports a holistic approach to the full 14-19 curriculum and planning across both Diplomas and GCSE and A level provision.

Structure of the guidance
All of the guidance follows the same basic structure and comprises two main sections.

If you want to find out more about Diplomas in general, you will find the generic section helpful. It is in three parts:

• the importance of the Diploma
• the structure of the Diploma
• unique Diploma features.

If you want information on one of the ten lines of learning, you will find this in the line specific section. Here you will find guidance, comprising six components, for each of the ten lines:

• curriculum aims
• the importance of the line of learning
• key themes
• key processes
• range and content
• curriculum opportunities.

This guidance is designed to underpin all Awarding Body specifications and fully articulate DDP Line of Learning statements in a way that supports teaching and learning in centres. We intend it to be used by both curriculum planners and specialist teachers of specific Diplomas, at all levels, in schools and colleges. The diploma is a new qualification and we want to illustrate the unique offer it has for the learner.

For the future

We will also develop guidance for the Diplomas for phase three as follows:

Phase 3: Public Services; Retail; Sport and Leisure; Travel and Tourism.

Over the coming months we will also be adding further information about functional skills, PLTS and applied learning. We will be looking at how you can integrate these elements of learning into the curriculum, with further exemplification of how they fit into each individual Line of Learning.

As we continue to work towards articulating a vision for the whole 14-19 curriculum, we will revise and refine the guidance to ensure that it offers teachers and planners the best support, at each stage of development.

We are very interested in receiving your feedback on this guidance, so if you have any comments please contact the Diploma team.