Edexcel is the first board to have had all five lines of Principal Learning for the new Diplomas approved to proceed to accreditation by QCA, together with Project qualifications at all three levels.

Diplomas are qualifications for 14-19 year olds which will provide flexibility and choice for all learners, through a unique mix of traditional and work-relevant learning to develop essential skills, relevant experience and applied learning.  They will provide an excellent grounding for work or further study.  Diplomas will challenge and stretch learners, whether they are preparing for university or employment. They will offer a mix of theoretical and applied learning, including functional English, maths and ICT, and the opportunity to develop a specialism or take on complementary study.

As with all Edexcel qualifications, the new Diplomas have been developed by Edexcel working closely with employers and teachers, as well as DDPs - Diploma Development Partnerships.  Edexcel will now work up more detail around the content to present to QCA for final approval, by the end of July.

The first 5 Diplomas for 14-19 year olds will be available for first teaching from September 2008 in the following lines of learning:

• Construction and the Built Environment
• Creative and Media
• Information Technology
• Engineering
• Society, Health and Development

Jim Dobson, Product Management Director at Edexcel said: “We are really pleased to have gained QCA approval in all the qualifications we submitted.  It’s great news and signifies that we are moving swiftly into the last stage of development. 

"We will continue to work very closely with QCA and the DDPs to ensure that the new qualifications offer exciting, new and engaging content for the Diploma learners, and we are confident that we will meet the final requirements within the timescales laid down.

“Our Diplomas will be a complement to the existing suite of Edexcel qualifications, including our GCSEs, A levels and internationally recognised BTEC qualifications.”

Edexcel is organising a number of Launch events early in the Autumn term to share the details of our specifications and the services that will contribute to centres' success with the new Diploma.  Edexcel will be demonstrating its unique 'leading edge' technology that will provide one-stop registration, student-tracking and teaching and learning resources to centres.  Teachers will also have an opportunity to meet their dedicated Diploma curriculum manager. 

To learn more about the new Edexcel Diploma or to sign up for email alerts visit  www.edexcel.org.uk/diplomas/