Wokingham Borough gets green light to teach diplomas
New diplomas in ‘creative and media’ and information technology (IT) are set to be taught in Wokingham Borough schools from next year, after Wokingham Borough Council was given the green light by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
From September 2009, students across the Wokingham borough will be able to study for the new diploma, a national qualification for 14 to 19-year-olds. These new diplomas would allow young people to study vocational subjects – ‘creative and media’ and IT - alongside their GCSEs. The qualifications have been designed nationally by employers, working alongside educationalists, to produce a qualification that equips young people to develop the skills they will require to be successful in their working lives.
Wokingham council had to go through a rigorous application process in order to be given the go ahead by the DCSF and only those able to demonstrate their ability to provide the highest quality courses were successful.
Over the coming months the council will be working with local secondary schools as well as local colleges to further develop plans to deliver the ‘creative and media’ and IT diplomas in Wokingham Borough’s schools from September 2009.
Wendy Woodcock, general manager Wokingham children’s services, said: “Diplomas offer a number of opportunities for young people to combine academic and practical options. Whilst studying for the diploma there will be a strong focus on developing English, maths and IT skills as well as preparing them for their future employment. I am pleased that many students will now be able to study for the diploma in the Wokingham Borough from 2009.”
Over the next five years, Wokingham Borough schools will introduce other diplomas including construction, engineering, hair and beauty and retail, so that in all, 17 will be available to pupils by 2013, both at the equivalent of GCSE and A levels.
Wendy Woodcock added: “In order to bring about this change, the borough’s schools and local colleges are working together in partnership with the council to combine their resources, to ensure that every student will be able to access any of the diploma programmes. It is an exciting time for education.”
From September 2009, students across the Wokingham borough will be able to study for the new diploma, a national qualification for 14 to 19-year-olds. These new diplomas would allow young people to study vocational subjects – ‘creative and media’ and IT - alongside their GCSEs. The qualifications have been designed nationally by employers, working alongside educationalists, to produce a qualification that equips young people to develop the skills they will require to be successful in their working lives.
Wokingham council had to go through a rigorous application process in order to be given the go ahead by the DCSF and only those able to demonstrate their ability to provide the highest quality courses were successful.
Over the coming months the council will be working with local secondary schools as well as local colleges to further develop plans to deliver the ‘creative and media’ and IT diplomas in Wokingham Borough’s schools from September 2009.
Wendy Woodcock, general manager Wokingham children’s services, said: “Diplomas offer a number of opportunities for young people to combine academic and practical options. Whilst studying for the diploma there will be a strong focus on developing English, maths and IT skills as well as preparing them for their future employment. I am pleased that many students will now be able to study for the diploma in the Wokingham Borough from 2009.”
Over the next five years, Wokingham Borough schools will introduce other diplomas including construction, engineering, hair and beauty and retail, so that in all, 17 will be available to pupils by 2013, both at the equivalent of GCSE and A levels.
Wendy Woodcock added: “In order to bring about this change, the borough’s schools and local colleges are working together in partnership with the council to combine their resources, to ensure that every student will be able to access any of the diploma programmes. It is an exciting time for education.”
Wokingham Borough Council
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