Natspec welcomes the plans announced yesterday for new vocational and technical pathways for young people from age 14. A pre-16 education system built primarily around a university route could never meet the needs of all young people or put everyone on a straightforward route to a successful future. That’s why we expressed disappointment in the outcome of the Curriculum and Assessment Review earlier this year, where an opportunity for more radical change was missed.
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are particularly likely to benefit from being able to take a non-academic route where creativity and practical and problem-solving skills are key to success. The government must be careful, however, to avoid falling into the trap of using GCSEs as the blueprint for any new pre-16 vocational or technical qualifications. That is not the route to achieving parity of esteem. New qualifications must enable content to be delivered, wherever possible, through hands-on learning and assessment methods must be fit-for-purpose and not overly reliant on written exams.
Clare Howard, CEO, said
“A more appropriate curriculum with clearer lines of sight to employment is likely to keep more young people engaged in education and bring down the shockingly high levels not in education, employment or training (NEET). However, this one measure will not solve the NEET crisis on its own. Given that possession of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at 16 is the strongest predictor that a young person will be NEET thereafter, government must also turn its attention to those with a higher level of need. Work must be done to encourage employers to recruit more young disabled people; fairer access to support for transport to college must be secured; better mental health services for young people must be available; and EHCPs must be routinely maintained beyond the age of 19 where they are enabling young people to engage in education and training that will support them into a fulfilling adult life.
The expansion of vocational and technical education is a good start in opening up opportunities. We will continue to work with the Department for Education to ensure that all young people, including those with a higher level of need, have access to high-quality pathways, appropriate to their needs and aspirations.”