The value of the Government's new Diplomas as a progression route enabling pupils to get into Universities & colleges has been confirmed by the QCA. Schools Minister Jim Knight...

...has ‘accepted' its recommendation that the new Diplomas should be judged in the achievement & attainment tables as equivalent to:

• 5 GCSEs grade A*-G at the foundation level
• 7 GCSEs grade A*-C at the higher level, and
• 3.5 A Levels grade A*- E at the advanced level
  

UCAS have also confirmed that the Advanced Diploma will be awarded a maximum 420 Tariff points - the same number awarded for 3.5 A Levels. Eventually, 17 Diplomas will be offered with the government aspiration that the Diploma becomes the 'qualification of choice' for young people in future.

...has also announced details of £28m cash funding for Diplomas in 08/09, meaning schools & colleges teaching Diplomas to 14-16 year olds will receive around an extra £1,000 per Diploma student.

Read more at http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/8DA72F54959D5D42802573B500599F49?OpenDocument or find out more about the diplomas at http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/