SkillsActiveCareers sponsor Careers in Sport and Leisure (CSL) Event 2010.

Following the success of the first ever CSL event in March 2009,this year's event will take place on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th November 2010 at the International Centre, Telford.

The event aims to build on the success of 2009 and attract more than 5000 young people with a passion for sport and leisure, and provide them with the information, advice and opportunities to help them make the best possible start to their career.

It has been moved  to earlier in the academic year to allow all the students attending to access the information and advice sooner. This will encourage them to think earlier about their futures and make more educated decisions about the direction of their career and the opportunities available.  

For 2010, New features include CV drop points, expert-lead CV clinics alongside presentations that will guide attendees through every step of the job application process, more interactive areas where you can 'have a go' at potential careers as well as an even stronger line up of industry leading speakers.

Some of the fantastic speakers already attending the event include Olympic bronze medalist swimmer Steve Parry, former England football team sports psychologist Bill Beswick, and the Director of Sport at Sport England, Phil Smith.

In addition to these, more than 50 speakers will take part over the two days of the event, all of whom are there to support the next generation of young people looking to make their future in the sports and leisure industry.

With more speakers, features and exhibitors set to be confirmed in the coming months, remember to check back at www.careersinsportandleisure.co.uk so that you are always up to date.

Telford International Centre

24/11/10 10AM

14-19,Graduates, School Leavers,

This Update pulls together announcements made since the change of Government about areas formerly covered in the 14-19 newsletter. We will not be producing regular updates but want to ensure that local areas have all the available information in one place in order to continue to plan effectively for September 2010 and beyond.

Recent announcements:

Diploma Entitlement
On 24 June 2010, Nick Gibb (Minister of State for Schools) said:
“We want schools and colleges to have greater choice over the qualifications they offer – they know what’s best for their students.
We want students to be able to sit the qualification that is right for them, whether Diplomas, the International Baccalaureate, A levels and GCSEs, or iGCSEs - not to be told by Government what they can and cannot take.
That is why we are removing the unnecessary bureaucracy and cost associated with the requirement that every school offers access to every Diploma line, and why we are stopping development of the extended Diploma.

That does not mean young people presently studying for a Diploma, or who plan to start one in the future, should think again, and I want to reassure them. We want to see how Diplomas work, and learn from them to improve the quality of vocational education in this country.”

Diploma Gateway

Ministers have decided not to hold any more Gateway exercises.  There is considerable expertise now after four Gateways in local authorities, schools and colleges.  So, for starts from 2012 onwards, there will be no requirement to obtain approval from the Department for Education before delivering new Diploma subjects. In addition, we are relaxing the requirement to offer the Diploma collaboratively through consortia. See below for more information.

Nick Gibb sets out his vision for schools

Schools Minister Nick Gibb gave a speech on 2 July to the Reform think tank in which he set out his vision for schools and education in the future.

The Minister said the Government’s education policies are guided by the three principles: freedom, responsibility and fairness. He said to give every child the best education, regardless of their background or their parents income, we need to refocus the curriculum on core knowledge and content, reduce bureaucracy in schools so teachers can get on with teaching, and continue to offer parents more choice with the expansion of academies and the free school programme. The Minister of State’s speech can be found here.
 

More information

1 Government announcements 2
1.1 Diploma Entitlement not to be implemented 2
1.2 Diploma Gateway 2
1.3 Reducing the central support package 3
1.4 Phase 4 Diplomas and the Extended Diploma to be withdrawn 3
1.5 Simplification of 16 - 19 funding structures 4
2 Operational support and important information about funding, awarding and delivering Diplomas 4
2.1 2010-11 Local Delivery Support Grant payments to LAs 4
2.2 2010-11 Diploma Formula Grant payments to LAs 4
2.3 Certification of spend of the 2009-10 Diploma Grant 4
2.4 Diploma Gateway Summer Reviews 4
2.5 Diploma awarding 2010 5
2.6 Curriculum planners to use Diploma Aggregation Service 5
2.7 Actions for providers offering Functional Skills Qualifications from Sept 2010 6
2.8 Foundation Learning 6
 

1 Government announcements                                                          
1.1 Diploma Entitlement not to be implemented
On 24 June, the Minister announced that schools and colleges would be allowed to choose how many, and which, Diploma lines of learning they offered.  The Diploma Entitlement would therefore not be implemented.  Ending the entitlement means that provision of the Diploma will be left to schools and colleges to decide, through balancing capacity and demand. The press release can be found here.

1.2 Diploma Gateway

Ministers have decided not to hold any more Gateway rounds in the future. After four Gateways there is a considerable amount of expertise in local authorities, schools and colleges: in Gateway 4, almost 75% of applications were approved for a 2011 start.  So, for starts from 2012 onwards, there will be no requirement to obtain approval from the Department for Education before delivering new Diploma subjects.  The remaining stages of Gateways 3 and 4 will run through to completion, and so those consortia which still wish to offer Diplomas from 2011 and have not yet met their conditions will need to go ahead with their autumn review. 

In addition, the Government are relaxing the requirement to offer the Diploma collaboratively through consortia.  Schools and colleges already work in partnership on many fronts because there are advantages in doing so, and they may decide to continue to collaborate on delivering Diplomas.  But we want to open up the possibility of individual schools and colleges offering Diploma courses at a level which suits their learners without stipulating that it has to be as part of a consortium.  This will allow schools and colleges to widen their offer to students, providing students with an increased range of qualifications to better suit their needs.

In removing these barriers, we hope that schools and colleges will find it easier to make decisions about which Diplomas to offer and when, to the greater benefit of their students.

If you have any questions about the information above, please email: ask.gateway@education.gsi.gov.uk

1.3 Reducing the central support package

Ministers have decided to reduce centrally funded 14-19 workforce development activity.  This includes:

• stopping support provided through Consortium Advisers from the end of July 2010;
• scaling back the offer of bespoke training to focus on areas where Ministers consider the learner experience may otherwise be at risk, eg Diploma administration; and
• stopping central support on the assessment of Diplomas.
 
This means that the centrally funded 14-19 workforce support programme is coming to an end in its current form from the end of August 2010.  Remaining provision is now limited and bookings for some elements of face-to-face support are now closed.  The closure of the programme also means that the services that have been provided by the regional field forces, such as the Consortium Advisers and Regional Advisers, will also finish by the end of August.
 
Centre support will however continue to be available from QCDA for Diploma awarding this summer, to ensure all students who achieve a Diploma receive it on time. 
 
We will let schools and colleges know what other central support, if any, may be available from September onwards as soon as we can. We would encourage schools and colleges, where possible, to take advantage of training and development opportunities that are available from other sources.

1.4 Phase 4 Diplomas and the Extended Diploma to be withdrawn

On 7 June the new Government announced that the final three Diplomas in Humanities, Science and Languages, originally scheduled for first teaching in September 2011, would be stopped.  The new Government believes that it is not the role of the state to decide whether there is a need for new qualifications, and that attention should be focused instead on improving existing qualifications in these subject areas to ensure they are rigorous, challenging and properly prepare young people for life, work and further study. 

The work of the Phase 4 Diploma Development Partnerships (DDPs) therefore finished at the end of June.  Funding for the Phase 1-3 DDPs will finish at the end of September, and their activity will stop at this time.  These announcements do not affect Phase 1-3 Diplomas and young people currently studying for a Diploma or thinking about starting a Diploma this year should be reassured that their Diploma will continue. 
 
On 24 June Ministers announced that development of the Extended Diploma would be stopped, to avoid adding another level of complexity to the Diploma qualification.  Learners who wish to take larger programmes of learning already have the flexibility to take additional learning alongside their Diploma.
 
Ministers will, of course, keep the Diploma under review as part of their work to improve the quality of vocational education, as set out in the Coalition Agreement.

1.5 Simplification of 16 - 19 funding structures

DfE have announced a number of decisions to simplify and streamline the structures and processes relating to 16-19 funding.  Firstly, there will no longer be a requirement for local authorities to form Sub-Regional Groups and Regional Planning Groups.  Partnership working at local and regional level between local authorities and providers continues to be important, but Government will not prescribe how that should be done.  
 
In addition, with effect from the new academic year the YPLA will be responsible for making financial payments to General FE Colleges, Sixth Form Colleges and other training providers, removing the need for local authorities to manage contract and grant arrangements with these providers as well as reducing burdens on them in terms of financial audit and assurance functions.  School Sixth Forms will continue to be funded by local authorities.
 
More information on the announcement about this on 20 July can be found at: www.education.gov.uk/news/press-notices-new/simplify-college-funding

2  Operational support and important information about funding, awarding and delivering Diplomas                               

2.1 2010-11 Local Delivery Support Grant payments to LAs
Following a reduction in the Local Delivery Support Grant, local authorities (LAs) were notified of their adjusted allocation, according to a new formula, on 24 June. Payments are being made in two equal instalments - in July 2010 and January 2011. The first instalment was paid to LAs during week commencing 12 July with the identifier "Dip Grant (LDSG)" appearing on the remittance advice. We hope 14-19 colleagues will liaise with their finance colleagues within the LA to help them identify the payment.  
2.2 2010-11 Diploma Formula Grant payments to LAs
The first instalment of the 2010-11 Diploma Formula Grant funding for pre-16 Diploma learners will be paid on 10 Sept 2010 (which will be 60% of the grant).  The remaining 40%, adjusted to reflect the actual take-up of Diplomas, will be paid in March 2011. 
2.3 Certification of spend of the 2009-10 Diploma Grant
Chief Finance Officers are reminded that they need to complete the certificate of spend of the Diploma Grant for 2009-10 by 30 September 2010, using the pro forma that is available on the website: www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/documents/CFO.pdf.  This is required for audit purposes, to ensure that the various parts of the Diploma Grant are being used in accordance with the terms and conditions of spend.
2.4 Diploma Gateway Summer Reviews
The Diploma Gateway summer reviews have now taken place. In these reviews 14-19 leads met with Cambridge Education Regional Coordinators to re-evaluate Gateway 4 category 2 and category 3s, and Gateway 3 category 3s. A total of 486 Diploma lines were reviewed of which 75% met their conditions and have approval to start delivering from September 2011.  Consortia and LA 14-19 leads have been notified of their results.
 

2.5 Diploma awarding 2010

We are now approaching the exam results period and many Diploma students will receive their final Diploma result on either Thursday 19 or Tuesday 24 August.

At this stage, schools and colleges may wish to carry out final checks to satisfy themselves that all remaining administrative tasks relating to Diploma students have been completed, so that those expecting to claim an award this summer are not disappointed and their planned progression is not affected.  Key things you may wish to check with examinations officer are:

• whether they have informed Awarding Bodies which students are working towards a Diploma;
• whether they have recorded completion of work experience and Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS) on the Diploma Aggregation Service (DAS); and
• whether they have set an ‘Intention to Claim’ for students expecting an award this summer.

The support that QCDA and Awarding Bodies have offered to schools and colleges on the Diploma this year will continue through the summer, to help if any last-minute problems do arise. If schools and colleges have any problems on results day, the first point of contact is their Awarding Body, which will have measures in place to resolve problems quickly.
For those students who do not achieve a Diploma this summer, schools and colleges  can create a ‘Diploma Progress Statement’ from DAS, setting out their achievements to date - including qualifications which stand in their own right - and enabling them to plan for the additional component elements to achieve their full Diploma in due course.
Further information and guidance is available via the following website links:
Exam officer guide: www.qcda.gov.uk/resources/publication.aspx
Diploma post results: www.qcda.gov.uk/resources/publication.aspx
2.6 Curriculum planners to use Diploma Aggregation Service
Release 4 of the Diploma Aggregation Service (DAS) has been introduced.  It includes new features in response to feedback from users during the first year of Diploma awarding. The main change is the introduction of a new feature that will enable curriculum planners in Diploma centres and consortia to create, validate and assign planned programmes of study (PPoS) to students.  Two new DAS user roles will be created: a planned programme of study maintainer and an approver. 

Curriculum planners or staff with responsibility for students' study plans will probably be assigned these new roles.  They will need to work closely with exams office staff to ensure that valid programmes of study are created and assigned to learners in DAS.
Centres will not need to start using the new features until September 2010.  A range of guidance and support materials is available so that all users can review the changes in advance.  For more information about Release 4, visit the QCDA website at: www.qcda.gov.uk/das.

2.7 Actions for providers offering Functional Skills Qualifications from Sept 2010
Functional Skills (FS) will be rolled out nationally from September 2010 and FS pilot qualifications will be withdrawn from 31st August.  Accredited FS qualifications can be found on NDAQ (http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk ) and are distinguished from pilot qualifications by typing ‘FS NQF’ in the Type column.
Fully achieved pilot qualifications remain valid for learners. The following transitional arrangements have been put in place for partially achieved FS English qualifications only:
• Learners who have completed all three pilot FS English components have obtained a valid FS English qualification.
• Learners who haven’t completed any components during the pilot will need to take new accredited qualification components from September.
• Learners who have partially completed pilot FS English components will be able to combine these with new accredited components from September 2010 until August 2011.  From September 2011 only newly accredited English components will be accepted.

Centres should:
• Check whether your intended awarding organisation has accredited FS qualifications available from September.
• Consider the range of alternative awarding organisations accredited to deliver FS qualifications.
• Reinforce to learners that they have 12 months to use their pilot FS English components to complete their qualification.
• If you have any queries please contact your awarding organisation.
2.8 Foundation Learning
We have had a significant number of enquiries related to Foundation Learning. Ministers have now agreed that the Standards Fund grants for Key Stage 4 provision in 2010/11 will go ahead, as set out in the letters sent to all LAs in February 2010.  If you would like a copy of the letter for your area, please contact: Michael.singh@education.gsi.gov.uk 
 
For post-16 Foundation Learning, the YPLA recently published some short guidance on funding, together with detailed ‘questions and answers’ and several ‘worked examples’ – see links below.  These outline the overall funding model and some new developments to allow more flexibility in particular for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and for learners for whom elements of non-accredited provision may continue to be important. 
 
• YPLA post-16 guidance on funding Foundation Learning – see paras 4.2-4.10 for an overview of new developments: www.ypla.gov.uk/aboutus/ourwork/funding/funding-foundation-learning/
• FAQs: www.ypla.gov.uk/publications/latest/
• Worked examples: www.ypla.gov.uk/publications/latest/

22/07/10 8AM

Aim: To resource practitioners preparing to deliver the 14-19 Diploma

For a copy of the event programme, please see the below link:

PROGRAMME – 28 May 2010

To book your place, please visit:
http://www.diploma-support.org/communities/networkmeeting?ato_fregion=YH&ato_flol=T%2526T

or for further information, please contact katie.couchman@ssatrust.org.uk
 

The Lewis Jones Suite at Carnegie Headingley Stadium, Saint Michael's Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS6 3BU

28/05/10 9AM

Practitioners

Would you like access to the Diploma Development Partnership for the Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure so you can find out about their vision for delivery, share best practice, learn about the support and resources available to help your planning and spend an interactive day preparing for first delivery 2010

When : Tuesday March 9th 2010 

Time: 10am - 4pm

Where: 6th Floor, Castlewood House, 77 - 91 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG

For more information or to book, visit: London Diploma Booking

6th Floor, Castlewood House, 77 - 91 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG

09/03/10 3PM

Consortia, Teachers, Employers

Would you like access to the Diploma Development Partnership for the Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure so you can find out about their vision for delivery, share best practice, learn about the support and resources available to help your planning and spend an interactive day preparing for first delivery 2010

When : Thursday March 4th 2010 

Time: 10am - 4pm

Where:   Bradford City Football Club, Coral Windows Stadium, Valley Prade, Bradford, BD8 7DY

For more information or to book, visit: Bradford Diploma Booking

Bradford City Football Club, Coral Windows Stadium, Valley Prade, Bradford, BD8 7DY

04/03/10 10AM

Consortia, Teachers, Employers

  Would you like access to the Diploma Development Partnership for the Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure so you can find out about their vision for delivery, share best practice, learn about the support and resources available to help your planning and spend an interactive day preparing for first delivery 2010

When : Thursday February 25th 2010 

Time: 10am - 4pm

Where:        Bristol City Football Stadium, Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, BS3 2EJ

For more information or to book, visit: Bristol Diploma Booking

Bristol City Football Stadium, Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, BS3 2EJ

25/02/10 10AM

Consortia, Teachers, Employers

These free of charge training sessions, offered by AQA-City & Guilds, will help consortia with their quality assurance process across line of learning. If you are actively involved in the Domain Assessor role or are a member of a consortium which would like to find out more about quality assurance of the internal assessment carried out on the Principal Learning and Project components for a particular line of learning - then these sessions are for you.

You will receive:

• An overview of the role of the Domain Assessor
• Documentation to support  undertaking  the role
• Overview of the AQA-City & Guilds moderation process
• Standardisation sessions
• Networking opportunities to share ideas with other Domain Assessors

AQA-City & Guilds Diploma Business Managers will lead the session and will be able to help you with specific questions or concerns.  These sessions are not line of learning specific but will incorporate information across all lines of learning.

Dates & Times

These session start at 10.00am and finish at 3.30pm and will include materials, refreshments and light lunch.

Date                                          Location                                         Finding Us
 
Monday 1 February 2010             London                                           Map

Alternative dates available:

Monday 15 February 2010           Warrington                                      Map
 
Friday 19 March 2010                 Birmingham                                     Map
 

Who should attend?

Domain Assessors, Diploma Leaders and Managers, Consortium Diploma line of learning leads

Booking Details

Please provide us the following details
Name:
Contact Number:
Email Address:
Consortium Number:
Centre Number (if applicable):
Local Authority Number (if applicable):
Event Date:
Special Dietary requirements:
Would you like to subscribe to the Diploma Talk e-magazine?

Email: diplomadvisors@cityandguilds.com
Website: http://www.diplomainfo.org.uk/Domain_Assessor_support_training.asp
Telephone: 08700 242466

We advise you to book at least one week before the event to ensure you get your place as these events fill up quickly.
 

London

01/02/10 10AM

Domain Assessors, Diploma Leaders and Managers, Consortium Diploma line of learning leads

The Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure will prepare young people in England for higher and further education as well as the world of work, in an innovative and exciting way, ultimately producing the high calibre of young people that employers need to meet business objectives within the industry.

The first in a proposed series of Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure specific events, SkillsActive will be exploring the following aspects of the Diploma;
 

• The breadth of the Diploma
• Additional and specialist learning
• Applied learning
• Support and tools
• Employer engagement

The aim of the event is to support and help you be prepared for first delivery in 2010 and give you the opportunity to share best practice and speak to the Diploma Development Partnership.

For more information, Please visit: Diploma Event

London

19/11/09 9AM

Consortia

SecEd and its new sister publication Delivering Diplomas, will now be hosting the 4th National Conference on the 14-19 Diploma , focusing on ‘Engagement & collaboration’ on Thursday 1st October, 2009 at the Aston Conference Centre in Birmingham.

The conference has also been structured to ensure that delegates all have the opportunity to ask their own questions and explore any key matters directly during our ‘Ask the experts panel discussion’ which will focus on phase 1 and phase 2 Diploma delivery with representatives from all 10 Sector Skills Councils. Additionally, the workshops in the afternoon will allow delegates to quiz experts from exam boards, the DCSF, the QCA, the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors, and Diploma Development Partnerships on any aspect of delivery.

Furthermore, secondary heads, college principals, and students who have all been involved in phase 1 of the 14-19 Diploma will form part of the panels in the workshops and will talk about their own experiences relating to the key issues of the day.

Initial feedback about this conference is very positive and based on the popularity and success of our previous three Delivering Diploma events, it is highly recommended that you book your places early to guarantee your attendance.

Please book online here today, http://news.markallengroup.com/_act/link.php?mId=J6905838525389234533277&tId%2078

03/09/09 1PM

30 September 2009
Imperial War Museum
Duxford CB22 4QR
Junction 10 off the M11

This Conference is hosted by the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils and is designed to disseminate research conducted by Pye Tait on behalf of the Alliance.Careers advisors in the East of England were interviewed about the ways in which they use careers intelligence and their preferred format for information about sectors.

Sector Skills Councils will be presenting the findings of the research and, based upon this, highlighting the work that they do for their sectors to support IAG advisors.Information and guidance on the best way to access the rich source of careers intelligence will be available on a sector basis in an IAG marketplace.

This conference is aimed at middle managers and leaders who have responsibility for front-line IAG staff in schools, colleges, universities and Jobcentre Plus offices. It is hoped that, by understanding what is available about careers in different sectors, delegates will disseminate this information within their own organisations, reaching front-line staff.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our events organiser, Suzy Howes & associates at iag@suzyhowes.co.uk

03/09/09 12PM

The Re-launch of the SkillsActiveCareers website 

The re-launch will take place on Careers day at Leisure Industry Week with specially organised industry members in attendance to offer support and guidance on careers within the Sport & Recreation, Health & Fitness, Playwork, The Outdoors and Caravans sectors.

When: Thursday 24th September 2009.

Venue: Leisure Industry Week at The Birmingham NEC in Hospitality Suite 29 (Suite number to be confirmed)

Time: 2 - 4pm

Event Details

This event is aimed at students and careers advisors who have a keen interest in Sport, Health & Fitness, Playwork, Caravans and the Outdoors.

We will give you an insight into the careers, training and education options available in the sector, coming directly from industry people who will also be discussing what has ultimately led them into the sector and to where they are today.

If your students or careers advisors are interested in joining us, attendance is limited and on a first come, first serve basis.

Please e-mail diplomas@skillsactive.com with Careers Day Attendance as the Subject Line,

You will need to supply names, Institution and full contact details (address, phone number, e-mail)

You will receive an attendance confirmation e-mail if there are spaces available

03/09/09 12PM

The UK's first careers event dedicated to the sport and leisure industry.
 
Taking over two days in March at the Sheffield Arena, the event will combine the biggest exhibition of its kind in the UK with more than 50 educational seminars and workshops targeting all those that want to work in or progress in the ever competitive sport and leisure market.

Join 5000 sports-minded career focused indviduals to:

- understand the job opportunities available 
- discover training and development options
- learn about industry qualification choices including Diplomas and Apprenticeships
- meet recruitment specialists
- attend workshops run by SkillsActive
 
Only £10 for 2 days - book now!

Sheffield Arena

25/03/09 9AM

teachers, students, career advisors, individuals seeking a career in the industry

This event aims to enable all Medway students to learn about the career and education opportunities available to them locally; it is designed to promote full time and part time employment opportunities, provide careers guidance and to promote volunteering, education and training opportunities, with an emphasis on the new 14-19 Diploma. 

The Roadshow will commence at 1pm with 2 sessions as follows:

13:00 to 16:00 - undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Universities of Canterbury Christ Church, Greenwich and Kent as well as Mid-Kent college.

16:30 to 21:00 - organised school parties from secondary schools in Medway (from year 9 onwards) and/or students with their parents; visitors from the general population.
 

Further details to follow.

University of Greenwich campus in Chatham, Kent

05/03/09 1PM

undergraduate and postgraduate students, secondary schools (from year 9 onwards)

Leading the Change

Wednesday 11 – Thursday 12 February 2009

It is aimed at representatives from Sports Colleges, Academies with sport-related specialisms and Local Education Authorities. It brings together key post-holders working in and around Sports Colleges.

Register your attendance now!
 

International Centre, Telford

11/02/09 9AM

Academies with sport-related specialisms and Local Education Authorities