South Kent College To Offer New National Diploma

South Kent College's bid to offer the new national diploma for young people has been successful.

The Dover campus is one of only 40 nationwide pilot schemes for the Diplomas and will offer Health and Care from this September, and Construction from September 2009. The Ashford campus will offer Diplomas in Creative Studies and Construction from September 2009.

The new National Diplomas are being promoted as 'the biggest shake-up of England's exam system for a generation'. The Diplomas are designed to mix academic and vocational qualifications, alongside GCSEs and A-levels.

The Education Secretary Alan Johnson said Diplomas would be an attractive and flexible option for young people.

"They are just one part of our plans to encourage more young people to stay in education and training. With fewer low-skilled jobs, we need more high-skilled young people," he said.

"Diplomas will provide the missing link - creating the mix of vocational and academic education which we've lacked for so long."

Young people studying for the Diplomas will have to pass qualifications in maths and English. They will do significant amounts of work-experience.

There will be three levels of Diploma: level 1 is equivalent to four or five GCSE passes and level 2 is equivalent to five or six GCSE passes at grade A* to C.

The government says level 3 is equivalent to three A-levels and will be accepted by universities and colleges, as well as allowing students to go directly into work if appropriate.

Acting Principal of South Kent College, Penny Wycherley said: "This is a tribute to the collaboration between schools and South Kent College in developing vocational training to equip young people for work in the 21st century. Only 40 pilot schemes have been agreed for this year and we are delighted that one of these will be in Dover. As a Centre for Vocational Excellence we are delighted to be able to lead in this national pilot. The timetable for submissions was very tight and the schools worked very closely with Josh Coleman, the Assistant Principal for Dover, to demonstrate that we could deliver this new programme."