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Hertfordshire Annual 14-19 Conference. November 2012

Hertfordshire Annual 14-19 Conference. November 2012. The changing face of education. Different set of policy drivers Extensive reform of the qualification system New principles for the operation of the examination system Increasingly diverse and more autonomous provider system

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Hertfordshire Annual 14-19 Conference. November 2012

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  1. Hertfordshire Annual 14-19 Conference. November 2012

  2. The changing face of education • Different set of policy drivers • Extensive reform of the qualification system • New principles for the operation of the examination system • Increasingly diverse and more autonomous provider system • ‘Modernisation’ of teaching profession • Creation of more targeted forms of accountability • Reform and rebalancing of the funding systems • But, some familiar challenges

  3. 2. Extensive reform of the qualification system Big picture • Two challenging dynamics • Concerns about standards, impact on learning, costs, international performance • Concerns about speed and extent of change • Current architecture • An independent regulator but with a brief to maintain standards and ensure healthy markets • A drive to simplify the qualification market but make it both more responsive and more accountable • A continued commitment to a core programme of learning measured by exams at 16 • A desire to apply more formal methods of testing knowledge • Leading to • Retreat of the National Curriculum to essential knowledge requirements • Review of exams at age 16 around core requirements • A new quality assured model of exams at age 18 • A post Wolf model of vocational qualifications • A surge of interest in Bacc variants • A new set of quality ‘controls’ for apprenticeship programmes

  4. 2. Reform of the Qual System. GCSEs • Current position • White Paper signals reform of exam system (Nov 2010) • Ofqual confirm changes to GCSE assessment (Dec 2011) • Long-term concerns about GCSE reflected in controversial Gove ‘leak’ (June 2012)) • Select Committee issue Report calling for changes to exam system (July 2012) • Pearson launch International Expert Panel (August 2012) • Grading issues lead to Ofqual Report and calls for an Inquiry (August 2012) • Select Committee hold evidence session (Sept 2012) • Education Committee and Ofqual Reports (Oct 2012) • Key issues • Modularisation; early and multiple entries; grade inflation; public confidence; grading system; performance tables; literacy/numeracy levels; exam at 16+; global standards; iGCSE • What to look out for • Consultation on new design principles (Sept 2012) • Introduction of 2 yr linear GCSE programme and new Geography specs (Sept 2012) • Emergence of more bespoke FL programmes (autumn 2012) • Special re-sit opportunity for GCSE English (Nov 2012) • First SPaG assessments (Jan 2013) • Regulatory requirements drafted for new EBC core subjects (Spring 2013) • New Eng Lit and history quals (Sept 2013) • Possible intro of new core EBC subjects (2015) and others (2016)

  5. 2. Reform of the Qual System. EBCs • What are EBCs • Subject suites from current EBacc listings • Intended to enhance qual status at age 16 and provide for progression • What will they look like? • Challenging syllabuses based on preferred content • Typically similar in size to a GCSE • Bit like an iGCSE overall • How will they be assessed/graded? • Largely end of course exam • Clearer, more transparent grading system • Accountability through revamped performance table system • Who’ll take them? • ‘Most’ students at age 16, emphasis on Eng/ma by age 18 remaining • School based Statement of Achievement for others • Who’ll design them? • AOs through tendering process involving Ofqual, DfE • Quals approved on a 5-year cycle • When will they happen? • 2015, 2016, 2017

  6. 2. Latest research on the EBacc • DfE/IPSOS Mori research, conducted June/July 2012 • Over 600 schools • Key messages • Adoption of EBacc subjects now reached steady state • Impact on some schools marginal, others adopting range of strategies • Adjusting option blocks • Introducing some compulsion • Making some changes to the curriculum • Beefing up some Depts • Briefing parents and pupils • Impact on subjects • Biggest surge in numbers taking science options • Languages often a tipping point • Exclusion of RE still a concern • Wider concerns about impact on other subjects and some staffing • Two key concerns • Dangers of sharpening school stratification • Any potential loss of curriculum balance

  7. 2. Reform of the Qual System. A levels • A level developments • Current position • White Paper signals reform of exam system (Nov 2010) • Michael Gove sets context in correspondence with Ofqual (March 2012) • Ofqual publish ‘Fit for Purpose’ and international benchmarking Reports (April 2012) • Consultation proposes 9 design conditions (June 2012) • Key issues • Modularisation; role of AS; grade inflation; resits; the A*; knowledge content; exam questions; purpose of A level; Russell Group ‘Informed Choices’ Paper; HE endorsement; • What to look out for • Government response to consultation (autumn 2012) • Annual autumn Panel review of standards and regular stock take against international standards (2013/14 onwards) • Some reduction in number of separate A levels • Entrenched positions on AS • Concerns about application of ‘learned society’ model • Some changes to pedagogy and assessment, desire to import curiosity and challenge • Emergence of ABacc model • Small changes to assessment (Sept 2013,) possible extended roll-out of new style A levels and A Bacc (from Sept 2014)

  8. 2. Reform of the Qual System. VQs • Current position • Wolf Review launched (Sept 2010) • Government accepts Wolf recommendations in full (May 2011) • Review of perf table criteria for 14 – 16 quals (autumn 2011) • Confirmation of position on funding and PoS for 16 – 19 (July 2012) • Development of next generation BTECs (2011 – 2013) • Key issues • FL; 16+ maths; assessment instruments; perf table changes; work experience; careers guidance; pre-apprenticeships; employer role • What to look out for • Ministerial Group overseeing 16 – 19 reforms (autumn 2012) • Further review of accountability measures (autumn 2012) • Implementation of new inspection arrangements (autumn 2012) • Further diversification of provider market (autumn 2012) • Increase in English/maths provision post-16 (autumn 2012) • Continued discussion of employer role (autumn 2012) • Implementation on new BTEC quals (2012/13) • Implementation of new 16 – 19 funding system and POS design principles (2013)

  9. 2. Reform of the Qual System. New models? • EBCs • Primarily aimed at 16 yr olds, long-term GCSE replacement • Largely knowledge based, core academic subjects • Offered through tendered exam process • Tech Bacc • Labour alternative for 14-19 • Conditional on L2 Eng/maths, an accredited L3 qual, ‘quality’ work experience • Builds on Adonis thinking informed through Husbands’ Review • Adonis models • A-Bacc: based on IB, create greater challenge at A level, incorporate a contrasting subject, project, theory of knowledge, community service • Tech Bacc: 2 levels, Eng/maths, a sector qual, formal work experience • Wolf model • 14-16: emphasis on core learning, streamlined voc offer, revised performance measures, greater mobility of staff and students, diversity of providers • 16-19: coherent programme of substantial qual; L2 Eng/ma; work placement • WBL: clarity of employer role; minimum frameworks; traineeship scheme • Not forgetting • IB, Welsh Bacc, Birmingham Bacc, Mod Bacc and other variants

  10. 2. Reform of the Qual System. Apprentices • Current position • Big policy push to grow numbers and opportunities (Nov 2010) • Key aspect of Wolf recommendations (May 2011) • Concerns about operation of some programmes (2011) • Announcement of Youth Contract (Nov 2011) • Launch of Quality Action Plan (Dec 2011) • Series of Reports and Inquiries (2012) • Key issues • minimum durations; Eng/maths provision; SASE; pre entry programmes; school engagement; employer engagement • What to look out for • New quality arrangements (August 2012) • Flexing up of AGE (Sept 2012) • Higher Apprenticeship consultation (Sept 2012) • Select Committee Report on Apprenticeships (Nov 2012) • Publication of Richard Review (Nov 2012) • Latest apprenticeship numbers (autumn 2012) • EFA funding announcements (Dec 2012) • Traineeships (Spring 2012)

  11. 2. Reform of the Qual System. What else? • Application of latest Sutton Trust-EEF T/L Toolkit (July 2012) • Disapplication of ICT (Sept 2012) • Removal of KS4 WRL requirement (Sept 2012) • New careers provision (Sept 2012) • Local development of Foundation Learning programmes (autumn 2012) • Emerging work on alternative maths quals (autumn 2012) • UCAS New Qualification Information Systems Project (autumn 2012) • CBI ‘Ambition for All’ Report on schools (Nov 2012) • Next round of PISA tests for 15 yr olds (Nov 2012) • Ofsted Access and Achievement Expert Panel (report due next year)

  12. 3. System change. Exam system • Current position • Context set in White Paper (Nov 2010) • Ofqual granted new powers under Education Act 2011 (Nov 2011) • Select Committee complete inquiry and issue major Report (June 2012) • Proposals include: multiple boards but national syllabuses; national subject committees for spec development; stronger standards role for Ofqual; modifications and monitoring of exam board support and resources; some changes to accountability requirements • Key issues • Concerns about dumbing down; impact of competition; challenge and standards; perverse incentives; school accountability measures; collection of data; exam board services; costs; bureaucracy; choice and market operation • What to look out for • Ofqual Reports on summer 2012 exams (Interim Report Aug 2012) • Select Committee Evidence session on GCSE English (Sept 2012) • Government Response to Select Committee proposals (Oct 2012) • Ofqual initial Report on exam textbooks (Nov 2012) • Re-configuration of the exams market around tendering opportunities, learning technology and procured support (2013/14 on?) • Ofqual Report on market conditions and Corporate Plan items (ongoing)

  13. 3. System reform. HE • Current position • Government Response to White Paper outlines future direction (June 2012) • First intake under new fee system, emerging data about trends and uptake (Sept 2012) • Maximum fee level remaining for 2013/14, maintenance grants uprated in line with inflation (April 2012) • New institutional fee levels for 2013/14 signed off by OFFA (July 2012) • Financial health of the sector considered strong but some unease about how a future market might operate and about some course provision • Tariff policy liberalised to ABB and 5,000 added to margin places for 2013 entry • Key issues • So-called ‘squeezed middle;’ growing debt burden; potential lifting of the cap; impact on recruitment; emergence of high – table; nature of regulation; global market; widening participation; HEPI analysis of fee regime • What to look out for • Introduction of KIS, NSP, Unistats (Sept 2012) • Adoption of HEAR (2012/13) • Milburn Report (Oct 2012) • Update on new QA system (Nov 2012) • Interest from the private sector • Impact Reports from HEFCE and Independent Commission

  14. 4. Transition to new funding systems Current position • Current funding environment remaining difficult • PSBP in place, new design templates but capital budgets slashed • EFA established but some concerns about Dept accountabilities • 14-16 transition to new system post SR. Position for 2013/14: • Simplified DSG • Earlier notification of budgets • Streamlined LA formulae • New system for high needs • Commitment to MFG • 16-19 funding moving to new system for 2013/14; key features include: • Funding by learner rather than by qualification • Additional funding for disadvantage • Focus on retention rather than success rates • Formula protection for three years What to look out for • Data returns on the pupil premium, new level announced (Sept 2012) • LA formula submissions (Oct 2012) • Response from STRB (Oct/Nov 2012) • Chancellor’s Financial Statement (Dec 2012)

  15. What does it all mean? • Government keen to complete as much of White Paper reform programme as possible before 2014/15 • Funding reforms having to be more long than short-term, budgets set to remain tight until at least 2016/17 • Winning Depts under the forthcoming SR will be those that can demonstrate improved performance at less cost • Continuing desire to see international benchmarks as critical performance measures • Competitive tendering rather than competitive specs a key feature of modernised exam system • Curriculum requirements reduced to minimum core but de-commissioning of design process • Broad recognition that learning is not complete until appropriate levels of English and maths have been achieved • Teaching and learning revitalised by new breed of teachers and new forms of technology (but assessment instruments remaining conventional) • Vocational learning remaining just as important but complementary rather than alternative • Accountability in the hands of recipients rather than suppliers • Holiday plans abandoned

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