14 - 19 Education

Information in this section is subject to change depending on the policy of the coalition government.

14 to 19 education is changing to give young people a wider choice of courses; allowing them to learn in a way that suits them. The reforms have been designed to ensure young people have the necessary basic skills for work and life and will include:

An entitlement for all 14 -19 year olds to have access to four learning routes: GCSEs and A levels; Diplomas; Apprenticeships and Foundation Learning programmes. Vocational and academic learning can be selected and combined in different ways to meet the needs and interests of learners, and to provide meaningful qualifications.

GCSEs in English, Maths and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are more focused on skills that young people need for work. Coursework is replaced by controlled assessments in most subjects.

Higher achievers get more opportunities to show their ability through extended projects and essays at level 3. A* grade has been introduced for the top performers.

A new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) has been developed to equate vocational and non-vocational qualifications and for matching the size (time it takes to complete) and level of each qualification to the system of credits. This means that all qualifications can be compared. The majority of qualifications offered to 14-19 year olds are recognised through this framework.

Raising the participation age (RPA). Current legislation makes it compulsory in 2013 for all young people up to the age of 17 to be involved in further learning through a sixth form or college course, an apprenticeship or other work-based learning programme. From 2015 this will apply to young people up to age 18.