Students lead way in new qualification
5:22pm Tuesday 8th April 2008
STUDENTS at Rivington and Blackrod High School will help make educational history in September when they become some of the first in the country to sit a new qualification.
They are diplomas, described as the biggest shake-up of qualifications since the abolition of the O-level. In fact, Schools Minister Jim Knight said the diplomas were the "most radical qualification being developed in the world".
David Waugh, deputy head at Rivington and Blackrod, and the borough's diploma co-ordinator, said: "We are very excited about the diplomas. The diplomas are qualifications for the 21st century, with a traditional academic education being taught which also has an important vocational element. They are aimed at all students, from those who enjoy academic study to those who are practically minded."
And any mention that their introduction is a dumbing down of qualifications is quickly dismissed.
Mr Waugh said: "These diplomas have gone through the same system as every other qualification to find out what they are worth."
He pointed out that the diplomas had been developed by various organisations, including the universities. The diploma taken by children in Year 10 is equivalent to eight-and-half GCSEs and the advanced diploma is equal to three and half A-levels at the top grades. Jade Goodwin, aged 16, and 14-year-olds Rebecca Hutcheson and Jack King have chosen to take the diploma for their GCSE and A-level options.
Jade is to study the level three engineering diploma, alongside an A-level in physical education.
She said: "I want to be an engineer working in the RAF and this is perfect for me.What I am most looking forward to is the hands-on approach."
Rebecca has opted for a social health and development diploma to help her achieve her ambition to become a child psychoanalyst.
She said: "I checked that this diploma would enable me to follow the career I want, and it will. Otherwise I would be taking options which I don't find as interesting as those the diploma offers."
Jack is taking the engineering diploma. Both he and Rebecca will still have to study the four core GCSE subjects of maths, English, science and information technology.Young people in Bolton have been given the option to take a diploma at GCSE and A-level in construction, engineering, IT, health, and creative and media a year, ahead of students nationally. The number of diploma subject areas are set to increase and Mr Waugh is not ruling out the development of a diploma which would enable students to study medicine at university.
Schools in Bolton already have the infrastructure to deliver the qualifications. The broadcasting suite at Rivington and Blackrod will help students on various courses, from creative and media to engineering. Students also have use of a purpose-built construction centre and other facilities.
Mr Waugh said that the lifeskills developed through the vocational element of the diploma would enable pupils to become independent learners and aid them in their university and career life.
He added: "The diploma equips pupils with the skills necessary for an ever-changing society."
Backed by leading companies, such as BAe Systems, Mr Waugh said diploma students, particularly those studying them at post-16, could make contacts in business and industry which could help them in their careers.
He explained: "These diplomas have multi-national conglomerations behind them and sometimes who you know is as important as what you know."
Pupils realise that opting for a diploma will not narrow their choices in later life, while others say it will engage more pupils in study. Jade said: "Law is something else that interests me, but I still have the option to study this at university."
Jack added: "Young people should be given more choice. There will be pupils who prefer this sort of course rather than having to study something they might not be interested in."