fox20thc Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 After the earth shattering proposal of Mr Crossley-Hollands team regarding Myers and Wisewood I was trying to answer the question about the 14-19 centre. But there doesn't seem to be much I can find about it. From what I understand children at 14 will be given the option to decide if they would like to learn a trade/business and can opt into that instead of the standard GCSE route. They study for the diploma which includes basic english and maths but concentrates on learning all about the skills required for their chosen business. eg: catering and hospitality. What concerns me is how can a child be sure of what they want at 14? And if they change their mind half way through (as teenagers so often do) how can they pick up on normal studies again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenireeni Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Many schools currently offer the diplomas to children who are not adapting well to school environment. I think they're much more useful than GCSE'S, they get real experience and qualifications. If a child changes their mind during a course, they can swap to a different vocation i.e construction, admin, music. Saves them having to do it as an adult, i wish i had had these opportunities when i was at school! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox20thc Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 So this is not an option its an alternative schooling method? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenireeni Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 its currently an option, but they're introducing new diplomas in 2007/8 which will involve vocational study, experience, as well as incorporating maths, english etc. So although they may not get GCSE English, they will still have a key skill to show for it. The schools are currently negotiating to see if this is the way forward, and providers are working to see how much they can do, and what schools would have to do. At the moment the children and young people's directorate at sheffield city council are in discussion with people like CITB, to work out what is feasible. its still all at the very early stages from what i understand, though im not an expert!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox20thc Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 its still all at the very early stages from what i understand, though im not an expert!! More expert than me! I googled it and lots of companies seem to be applying for tender on this so is it a PFI situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenireeni Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 not sure if its a PFI situation tbh, might be PFI and public. The provider i work for is part of sheffield city council,yet we charge schools for children to come. money just gets passed around depts. However there are privately owned companies who provide vocational learning, e.g Sprint Motors. The place i work for is piloting BTEc apprenticeships, which means children are doing BTec level 2, and gain work experience with an employer. However this has to be done during their school holidays. Rather them than me! So that option is for dedicated children only!! At the moment the majority of our learners still attend school, although some only attend vocational learning, and dont do GCSEs. This is mainly for the bad attenders, e.g Spring Lane students. The idea for the future is that rather than students doing a BTec and GCSE Maths, they'll be able to make Maths or English etc relevant to the vocational area. Hopefully these qualifications will solve the problems of people entering non-professional jobs. Not sure how it will affect those who wish to be a doctor or solicitor for example!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox20thc Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 I was just confused, with the emphasise on making wisewood a 14-19 centre it doesn't say much more, but implies that this is a choice based option from 14 years old. I mentioned it to my son (11), who was horrified (I nearly fell off my chair) that he may be given the choice of NOT sitting traditional exams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenireeni Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 lol, some kids will be over the moon!!! last year we didnt do diplomas, the learners did a citb qual, and had to sit an exam, and honestly they loved it cos it was computerised and multiple choice. bit different from GCSE's!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox20thc Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 I had a look at the research reports on this and they reckon it will be 'equivalent' to 5 GCSE's in the employment market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenireeni Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 yeh the Btec at our centre is 5 gcses, not bad for one day a week!!! only problem is the learner has to attend each week, and if they're off sick its their responsibility to catch up, as everything is such a structured timetable! One kid has broken his hand so cant attend, so we're worrying how he'll be able to catch up!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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