Wigan headteacher expresses his delight at PM Andy Burnham's plans for vocational GCSEs
“That one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working, so we’re building an education system that values both academic and technical paths.”
A Wigan headteacher says the introduction of new vocational GCSEs could be“life-changing” for some teenagers.
Prime minister and Makerfield MP Andy Burnham announced in July that new technical education routes would be made available to 14-year-olds as part of reforms to tackle youth unemployment.
It has now been revealed the new qualifications – which will sit alongside traditional GCSEs – will be on offer in some subjects from as early as September 2029, and they will eventually replace technical awards.
The Government has also launched a national mission on work experience, which will call on employers to provide an additional 200,000 work experience placements for pupils aged between 14 and 16.
It comes amid a push from the Government on achieving parity of esteem between vocational and academic pathways, along with concerns about the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet), which is now more than one million.
Mr Burnham said: “We’ve all heard someone say ‘school wasn’t really for me’ because they were not given the chance to study vocational courses as well as traditional subjects.
“That one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working, so we’re building an education system that values both academic and technical paths.
“I want to give all young people across Britain the hope that their future will be brighter – whether it starts at university or not.”
The new vocational GCSEs will be the same size as GCSEs and will be nationally set, and the assessment and grading will be regulated by Ofqual to ensure full parity with traditional GCSEs.
Pupils will still be expected to study English, maths and science GCSEs.
The announcement comes on top of reforms which will place a greater emphasis on practical skills and assessments in GCSE subjects like PE, drama, design and technology, food and nutrition, music and computing.
It has been welcomed by Mark Dumican, headteacher at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School in Ashton, who said: “Giving pupils a clear line of sight to sixth-form qualifications and the world of work is exactly what the education system in this country needs, and Andy understands that. It is not overstating the ramifications of this move to state they are life-changing to those pupils who will benefit the most.
“So I am absolutely delighted these vocational qualifications look to be returning, as I witnessed first-hand the difference they can have in the life-chances of our young people. In 2006 we opened a construction skills centre, called The Western Skills Centre, as it was a collaboration led by St Edmund Arrowsmith between the five high schools on the west of Wigan borough. It provided training in joinery, brickwork and painting and decorating. Several graduates of the centre worked on building the infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympics!”
William Smith, who attended St Edmund Arrowsmith High and then St John Rigby College in Orrell, said: “The education system is built around the narrative that young people must decide to choose academia from a young age. Changing that narrative to make room for vocational training is essential.
“Young people want to enjoy education, and want school to prepare them for the future. I know so many students in my cohort would have benefitted from these changes.”