The 14-19 curriculum in the UK underwent reforms to better prepare students for the changing job market. The reforms introduced more pathways including diplomas that combine practical and academic skills, expanded apprenticeships, and kept students in education until age 18. This placed more emphasis on subjects like science, technology, and math. The reforms have implications for both teaching and learning. Teachers require more training as the curriculum is more integrated. Learners now have more options to choose between at ages 14, 16, and 18 to suit their skills and interests through qualifications, diplomas, apprenticeships or employment.

1. Implications for teaching and learning of the changes to the 14-19 curriculumAhsan Ashraf

2. IntroductionWhy was there even a need?The ReformBefore and AfterImplicationsReflectionReferences

3. Why?By 2020 there will be 5 million fewer low skilled jobs in Britain than there are today40 % of all jobs in 2020 will require a graduate level qualificationMany reasons for requiring reform (Shift happens)The world is changing...

4. Why?From September 2008 the 14-19 curriculum is changing to make young people's education more relevant to today's worldDid we cater for:Climate ChangeAugmented RealityArtificial IntelligenceNanotechnology

5. Before ReformAt age 14GCSE’sAt age 16A-LevelsBTEC’sCity and GuildsAt age 18UniversityEmployment

6. After ReformThe 4 learning pathways:The foundation learning tier For learners not ready for a full level 2 qualification (mixture of learning)GCSEs and A levels Regularly updated to ensure high quality (Can be combined with Diplomas)The Diploma Combination of theory and practical based around work related curriculum (level 1 to 3)Apprenticeships Allows one to learn at work and gain qualifications

7. After ReformFurthermore, the reforms include:introducing a new secondary curriculum integrating functional skills across the curriculum, learning programmes and qualifications introducing foundation, higher and extended projects into learning programmes for 14- to 19-year-olds creating the qualifications and credit framework (QCF) reforming vocational qualifications

8. The reformRaising the minimum leaving age to 18 by 2015New set of qualifications – Diplomas in 17 subject areas at 3 levelsA- levels – reduced assessment but ensuring students are stretched and challengedFunctional Skills standards in English, Maths and ICTReviewing and updating GCSE’sExpanding Apprenticeship Opportunities

9. The reformSupporting learners below level 2 and level 1 through the foundation learning tier placing responsibility for education and training of all young people to 18 with local authorities so LAs can take a more holistic view of services for under 19s increased emphasis on science, technology, engineering and maths

10. Implications: LearningDecisions are made from a young age:At age 14, pupils can choose:GCSEFoundation or Higher DiplomaFoundation learning

11. Implications: LearningAt age 16, in school or college, they can take: the DiplomaGCSE/A Levelsan apprenticeshipFoundation LearningEmployment with trainingAt age 18, they can:FE or HEApprenticeship Post 18EmploymentEmployment with training

12. Implications: TeachingIntegration and collaboration with employers, colleges and schoolsTraining required - diploma-support.orgICT is a functional skillNew CoursesStudents will stay on longer

13. ReflectionDifficult to research but it was interestingFocus previously has been on technologyA new topic with very little previous knowledgeHave to know and understand before expressing viewsWhy did it change?How has it changed?What are the implications?“We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself” Lord Alexander

14. BibliographyBBC, 2010. Special Reports - 14-19 Learning [Online]. BBC. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/education/14-19_learning/default.stm [Accessed: 28 January 2010]DCSF, 2010. DCSF 14-19 Reform [Online]. DCSF. Available at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/ [Accessed: 25 January 2010]QCDA, 2010. The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency [Online]. QCDA. Available at: [Accessed: 28 January 2010]TDA, 2010. 14–19 education reforms: developing the workforce [Online]. TDA. Available at: http://www.tda.gov.uk/teachers/hottopics/educationreforms.aspx [Accessed: 27 January 2010]TEACHERNET, 2009. 14 to 19 reform [Online]. TEACHERNET. Available at: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/14to19/ [Accessed: 28 January 2010]