A report by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted)
This report is based on visits to 66 schools and colleges and interviews with young people, teachers and employers involved in the first year of teaching of the 14-19 Diplomas. The Diploma curriculum includes a significant proportion of work-related learning. Employers are engaged in planning course delivery, the development of assignments, teaching materials and projects as well as providing work placements, speakers and workplace visits.
The report found that young people were well motivated and challenged by the applied style of learning and that consequently behavior was good and attendance often higher than that of comparable students. Experience on the Diplomas has frequently raised aspirations and awareness of opportunities for further learning. Where employer engagement was at its best, the understanding and enthusiasm of young people for their wider studies were “significantly enhanced”. The review concludes that the 14-19 reforms, of which the Diploma is the primary element, are increasing the attainment of students and reducing the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) after the age of 16.