The much anticipated Wolf Review of 14-19 Vocational Education is due in Spring 2011. Professor Alison Wolf has been asked by Government to explore a number of issues, including:
- How can we improve the organisation of vocational education for 14-19 year olds?
- What is the appropriate target audience for a vocational education offer, and in particular from what age is it appropriate for young people to be engaging in vocational education?
- What principles should underpin content, structure and teaching methods?
- How can we improve progression from vocational education to positive destinations (such as work, Apprenticeships, FE, HE)?
The IfL has consulted members and prepared a response to be considered by Professor Wolf. The response draws together the key themes raised by the consultation process into the '4 Ps': parity of esteem; vocational pedagogy; progression and public and policymaker perception.
These 4 Ps highlight the view of many that vocational education (and its teachers, tutors and trainers) is not held in the same regard as its more 'academic counterpart'. Is this a specifically UK view? The percived value of vocational education in some other European countries is often much more highly regarded and valued. Teacher's TV have an interesting clip on vocational education in Germany.
The introduction of the 'English Bacc' and retrospective league tables published last week, will inevitably have a major impact on the offer of vocational qualifications which have explored in recent years in many schools. Does this spell the end of the 14 - 19 Diploma? What about BTECs? Edexcel have prepared a brief response to some schools questions here. Not forgetting the introduction of University Technical Colleges (see also video clip below).
What are your thoughts, concerns or worries about the future of UK vocational education and training? How will a shift in vocational programmes offered in schools? Should vocational courses have parity with academic ones?
1 comment:
One of the best part of online learning is that, aside from saving these students from dropping out, is that many of them go on to higher education, and they have credited their experience with online learning in helping them to succeed. They have built up their self esteem, they learn that they can succeed at something if they really try, and they develop the self-discipline necessary to succeed beyond high school.
Post a Comment