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What are the aims of the changes

New qualifications are being added to the curriculum and existing ones are being updated so that children can find subjects that interest them and ways to learn that suit them.

The changes have been introduced to encourage children to continue in education for longer so they have a better chance of finding suitable jobs.

Along with the new Diploma qualification, there will be changes to GCSEs and A levels, more Apprenticeship opportunities and a new programme to support young people not achieving their potential.

Diplomas for 14 to 19 year olds

The Diploma is a new qualification for 14 to 19 year olds, designed to bridge the gap between academic and vocational learning. It offers a more practical, hands-on way of gaining the essential skills and knowledge that employers and universities look for.

From September 2008, selected schools and colleges around the country will begin offering the new Diploma qualification alongside GCSEs and A levels. By 2013 all children will be offered the full range of 17 Diplomas.

• Find out more about the new Diplomas (education and learning section)

Changes to GCSEs

There will be changes to the way GCSEs are assessed from September 2009:

• coursework in most subjects will be replaced by controlled assessments, supervised by teachers in school
• teacher assessments will continue in art and design, design and technology, home economics, music and physical education - but with stronger safeguards
• from September 2010, GCSE English, maths and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will put more importance on the essential skills that young people need to prepare them for work and adult life
  

• Understanding the National Curriculum

Changes to A levels

From September 2008, the amount of time students have to spend on assessment will reduce. Higher achievers will get more opportunities to demonstrate their ability – making it easier for universities and colleges to identify them. There will be:

• more open-ended questions, answered through extended essays
• a new (optional) extended project
• a new A* grade for the top performers

More schools and colleges are expected to provide opportunities to study higher education modules while doing A levels.

Help for those not achieving their potential

Some young people find the mainstream curriculum unappealing and don't see it as relevant to them.

The new 14-16 programme is aimed at young people who are unlikely to achieve at Level 1 – including those who have the potential to do well, but lack motivation. It shows young people how learning can create career opportunities and helps them develop basic skills like literacy and numeracy, together with the attitude and personal and social skills important in learning and at work.

A new framework of qualifications at Entry and Level 1 will support this, helping learners to progress towards Level 2 (the equivalent of five good GCSEs). Qualifications recognised under the framework will include skills for life and work, vocational and subject-based learning, and personal and social development.

• Qualifications: what the different levels mean

More useful links

• 14 to 19: your life, your options (education and learning section)

• More for young people on Cross & Stitch (young people section)

Useful contacts

• Parents contacts