The Diploma

The government has introduced an exciting new qualification for 14-19 year olds called 'The Diploma'

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Designed to give students valuable skills for life, the Diploma also involves hands-on learning which is fun and stimulating and which teaches the skills your child will need in the future.

This new programme offers students more flexibility by making a variety of subjects available for them to study so that they can broaden their learning and make informed choices about their future.

The Diploma sits alongside GCSEs and A levels, and is designed to combine class work with hands-on experience. Each Diploma usually takes two years to complete, providing students with essential academic and practical skills in the subject of their choice, while ensuring they have sound English, maths and computing (ICT) skills.

The aim is to help students prepare for their future regardless of whether they choose to go into higher education or pursue a career path after completing the Diploma course.

The Diploma was produced after extensive research involving young people, parents, employers and educational professionals, and taking on board the variety of ideas and expert opinions to develop a programme that offers a fully rounded education. For further information please visit: www.direct.gov.uk

What is the Diploma made up of?

All Diplomas contain three key components:

Principal learning - developing knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the chosen Diploma subject Generic learning - including functional skills in English, maths and ICT Additional and specialist learning - the opportunity to study a particular topic in more depth or broaden studies through complementary learning.

In addition, each Diploma shares the same set of six personal, learning and thinking skills:

creative thinking reflective learning independent inquiry team working effective participation self-management