The 16-19 Study Programme
Guide for ITE students
“The aim of Study Programmes is to maximise the potential of young people (16-19) to
progress onto higher education and/or skilled employment by ensuring that vocational
routes to higher education and employment are seen as high quality and a genuine
alternative to academic routes.”
Department for Education, January 2013 (based on Alison Wolf’s 2011 Review of Vocational Education)
Study
Programme
School or
College 16-19
Substantial
qualification
(e.g. BTEC First
(L2), Nationals
(L3), or A-levels
•
•
•
•
Maths and
English to Level
2 (if not
already)
Tutorial,
enrichment,
nonqualification
linked activity
The Principles
An Overview
•
•
•
The 16-19 study Programmes have been introduced
with the aim of giving FE colleges more freedom and
flexibility to match the courses the offer to the
individual needs of students.
Colleges will be expected to offer each student a
programme based on their prior attainment, and
designed to meet clear educational and career
aspirations.
Funding changes have also been introduced; funding
will no longer be linked to success. This is designed to
make it easier for colleges to fund non-qualification
activity, e.g. enrichment and work experience.
All students who haven’t achieved a grade C in GCSE
maths and English will have to continue to study these
subjects.
The way study programmes principles are applied will
depend on the needs, abilities and ambitions of
individual students and are likely to vary widely.
Students of all abilities will be enrolled on study
programmes.
All institutions will be expected to ensure that their
curriculum offers opportunities for students to take
subjects and participate in activities that really support
their educational and career ambitions.
• Provides progression to a level higher than
that of their prior attainment
• Includes qualification(s) that are of sufficient
size and rigour to stretch the student and are
clearly linked to suitable progression
opportunities in training, employment or
higher levels of education.
• Requires students to work towards GCSE A* –
C grade in Maths and English (or other
qualifications that will act as a stepping stone
for achievement of these qualifications in
time).
• Allows for meaningful work experience
related to the vocational area of the Study
Programme, which develops employability
skills and/or creates potential employment
options.
• Includes other activities unrelated to
qualifications that develop the skills, attitudes
and confidence that support progression.
Key
words
Progress
Progression
Development
Attainment
Personal
Individual
Personalisation
Inclusive
Employability
Traineeships
Work experience
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/s/study%20progra
mmes
Maths
English
Accountability
Embedded
Schools, colleges and providers will be accountable for the quality of their study programmes through:
Preparation for
work and/or
work
experience
•
•
•
•
•
Reformed 16-19 performance tables that show student achievement in an easily understood format.
The publication of student destination data (FE, HE or employment) on completion of their study.
Publication of maths and English data (GCSE, level 1, level 2, A-level and other level 3).
An Ofsted framework that will pay particular attention to the quality, coherence and success of study programmes and
their success in preparing students for employment.
Robust minimum standards for providers with financial penalties, intervention and possible closure as sanctions.
Accountability
Monitoring
Data
Robust
The Timeline
The Elements
Time
Event
Impact
September
2013
Study programme starts
Traineeships launched
Participation age arises to 17th Birthday
Learner: maths and English rule begin
All learners must stay in education until they
are 17.
Centres: Can claim funding based on old or
existing formula.
September
2014
Study Programme and Traineeships
compulsory
Centres: All funding moves to new formula.
September
2015
Participation rises to 18th birthday
Learner: All learners must stay in education
until 18.
Centres: New GCEs & BTEC Nationals in initial
subjects/ sectors.
September
2016
Second wave of GCEs & BTEC Nationals
Centres: New GCEs & BTEC Nationals available
in all subjects/ sectors.
Traineeships
As part of the 16-19 study Programme
reforms the government has introduced
Traineeships for learners who want to
(and can) progress rapidly into an
apprenticeship or paid employment.
The target group for this route will be
young people who are not currently
employed but who are focused on the
prospect of employment; are qualified
below L3,; providers and employers
believe have a reasonable chance of
being ready for employment or an
apprenticeship within six months.
The focus will be on high quality work
experience, work preparation training
and achieving an A*-C at GCSE in English
and maths.
Impact
The potential impact of these reforms will include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A greater focus on the progress and progression of students in
the 16-19 age range.
A greater focus on tracking the progress and progression of
disadvantaged young people in further education.
A need for more English and maths teachers at this level.
An increased necessity to effectively embed numeracy and
literacy skills across the curriculum.
A focus on developing employability and work force skills.
A need to ensure that routes are clearly defined and considered.
A greater emphasis on supporting and providing work experience
placements.
A focus on developing pastoral activities.
Oversight of these programmes and their associated pastoral,
enrichment and work-related elements will be crucial.
Impact measures will be central to demonstrating success and
quality of study routes for students.
Monitoring to ensure learners complete their Planned Learning
Hours (PLH).
1. The substantial qualification:
• At L3 the majority of learners will complete a
vocational qualification/ A-levels;
• At L2 most will complete a year of L2 study
before moving on to L3 or an apprenticeship,
many will also continue to study English and
maths;
• At entry level 2- level 1 learners are likely to
complete a mixture of GCSEs and BTEC Firsts,
qualifications from the Foundation Learning
suite and work based skills/ certificates.
2. English and maths:
• Programme guidance encourages learners to
study GCSE wherever possible.
• For learners unlikely to achieve grades A*-C
over the course of the programme other
qualifications are available. Decisions should
be made based on KS4 levels of attainment,
progression aims post-16, the wider study
programme that the learner is following.
3. Non-qualification elements:
• Work preparation and work experience
including support for work placements,
reflective skills, interview techniques and help
looking for jobs. Optional in the study
programme but encouraged, WorkSkills
qualifications exist that can be completed in
this element.
• Pastoral, personal and social development: No
absolute requirement but most providers will
run tutor periods or PSD as part of their
pastoral programme, approximately 2hrs per
week.
• Extra curricular activities can include things
such as centre organised sport. These thing
will need to be fully timetabled and
monitored for attendance and completion.