25 March 2008 - Some 51 partnerships of schools, colleges and employers across England have been given the green light by the government to teach the new Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies from 2009.
The application results mean that the Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies will be available in every English region and to an estimated 3300 learners. The Diploma includes study of the productive and working environments, plants and animals and developing the sustainable environment.
Schools and colleges had to pass through a rigorous application process in order to be given the go-ahead and only those able to demonstrate their ability to provide the highest quality courses were successful.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said:
“Schools and colleges are proving keen to offer Diplomas, which are going from strength to strength. I am extremely pleased that so many young people will have the chance to study Diplomas from 2009.
“We set the bar high, so that only schools and colleges that fulfilled our assessment criteria have been given the green light. We are confident that young people who take a Diploma will have a high quality experience as they work towards their qualification.
“The number of schools and colleges that have been successful in their application to teach the Diploma is testament to the fantastic work that is going on, at both a local and national level, to ensure this new qualification delivers for our young people.
“This is an exciting time for education in this country and I am pleased to see so many employers and universities coming on board and joining local partnerships to help make the Diploma a success.”
Half of the core learning will require students to apply knowledge, skills and understanding through tasks that have many of the characteristics of real work, or are set within the workplace. This will have huge advantages for industry and so it is vital that employers are involved in the Diploma’s delivery.
Farmer and Chair of the Diploma Development Partnership, Bob Fiddaman said that the results reflected positively on the future of the industry:
“Its good news. I think we’ve got a good solid representation from industry and it allows us a great opportunity to build for the future.
“The significant advantage is that for the first time in a number of years, the education system will have areas of learning which will interest people in potentially looking at this sector for future employment.”
The Diploma in Environmental and Land-based Studies is one of 10 industry-led Diplomas. Around three quarters of secondary schools and 88% of colleges will teach Diplomas with the support of local universities and employers. Some 317 partnerships will run diplomas from 2009 in subjects including Environmental and Land-based Studies, such as Business, Administration and Finance. They will join the schools and colleges already preparing to teach the first five Diplomas from this September.
The successful partnerships will be offered a tailored package of support including £27million of additional funding and a programme of professional development for those teaching the new qualification. Details of the successful consortia can be found at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19.
