Update on the 14 – 19 Diploma
The Edexcel Diploma Expo
As a result of the partnership (see article in Issue 448 for more details) between the ISTD and Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications, the ISTD went on the road with Edexcel in October to Birmingham, London and Manchester for three events with the goal of promoting the new 14 – 19 Diplomas to schools across England.
The events included a wide cross-section of teachers from all over England, from those interested in the Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment, to those looking for information on the Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure or in Creative and Media. As for exhibitors, the ISTD was standing alongside Edexcel and other Additional or Specialist Learning (ASL) providers.
One of our goals was to promote dance as a whole and how beneficial it is for students. However, our main aim was to represent the ISTD and our members and to give teachers information on how ISTD examinations fit into all the different Diplomas.
There was a definite interest in dance, and not just from schools with a Performing Arts department. Schools are coming to the realisation that their students enjoy dance out of school and that a good provision within the school curriculum is crucial. They were also particularly interested by the fact that students can retrospectively claim credit for ISTD examinations achieved since January 2005.
The ISTD’s presence at the events has helped us reinforce our position as an ASL provider and we can hope that this will galvanise schools across England into introducing ISTD dance in their schools.
If you are hearing about the Diploma for the first time, or would like a reminder, please read on.
What is the Diploma?
The new 14 – 19 Diplomas were introduced into the state secondary school curriculum in England in September 2008. These qualifications are aimed at 14 – 19 year olds who are looking for a more vocational pathway, different from the traditional GCSEs and A Levels, with a clear focus on a particular area of employment.
The Diplomas are split into several sections: Principal Learning that focuses on learning related to the sector in question; Generic Learning that includes functional skills (English, Maths and ICT) and a project; ASL that allows students to broaden their Diploma study; and work experience. It is the ASL section of the Diploma that is most important for ISTD teachers.
How does the ISTD fit into the Diploma?
All our accredited qualifications at Levels 1 – 3 inclusive of the National Qualifications Framework can count towards students’ ASL requirements. These requirements allow students to develop their interest in dance and include ISTD examinations as part of their requirements in two ways; as Specialist Learning for the Creative and Media Diploma or as part of their Additional Learning for any other Diploma subject.
How can I get involved?
State schools are advised to look on our website www.dance-teachers.org to find and get in touch with, an ISTD teacher near them. It is therefore crucial that you register on our website (if you have not already done so) as you might be missing out on great opportunities to widen your teaching horizons (see page 19 of this magazine for the step-by-step guide on how to register).
Where can I find out more?
• For more details about how the Diploma could work for you, please see the article in Issue 445 of DANCE or download a copy here.
• For a list of schools offering the Diploma in Creative and Media, please go to www.istd.org./training.
• For more details about the Diploma in general, please visit http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/.
• For other questions contact me by email at educationofficer@istd.org.
Nathalie Islam-Frénoy, Professional Development Officer |
