New diplomas in Buckinghamshire

Teenagers in Buckinghamshire are going to be able to choose from a wider range of subjects from next September.

New diploma courses are being introduced in 2011 - which students can do instead of GCSEs or A levels.

The new courses include Construction and the Built Environment, Public Services, Travel and Tourism, Engineering, Manufacturing and Product Design. They are in addition to the diplomas which are already offered in the county which include Creative and Media, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality, Society, Health and Development, Information Technology and Business Administration and Finance.

Students who do a diploma will do a mixture of academic study and practical, hands-on experience which means they get both theoretical knowledge and business and life skills.

Marion Clayton, Cabinet Member for Achievement, Learning and Skills, said:

“We want to give our young people access to every opportunity that is available to help them develop their abilities and maximise their opportunities in adult life. Offering quality learning in these new diplomas will open up new and flexible opportunities to young people while encouraging them to stay on in education or training after the age of 16. We are very proud of having successfully applied for all of the new diplomas and now look forward to putting them into practice."

You can get more information at dedicated diploma evenings and parent’s evenings in schools and colleges and ‘Buckschoices4me’ evenings for young people, parents and carers. Information, advice and guidance will also be available at schools and colleges and at Connexions centres.