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ATL comment on problems with diplomas, following Association of Colleges survey
27 October 2009
Nansi Ellis, head of education policy at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said:
"ATL believes that the ambition to offer a route for 14-19-year-olds that includes both vocational and academic study is the right one. It is important that diplomas are high quality qualifications accessible to all students. They must meet students' learning and skills needs, and increase their chances of later study or employment.
"Diplomas are a complex qualification to provide. It is essential, while diplomas are in their early stages, that the government listens and acts on the views and concerns of school and college staff who are providing them. Diplomas should be properly reviewed now so the teething problems can be sorted out before they derail these qualifications."
Notes to editors:
- The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing approximately 160,000 teachers, headteachers, lecturers and support staff in maintained and independent nurseries, schools, sixth form, tertiary and further education colleges in the United Kingdom.
- ATL exists to help members, as their careers develop, through first-rate research, advice, information and legal advice.
- ATL is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). The union is a member of the social partnership - working with the UK government, employers and other unions on education issues. ATL is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties.