Diploma attracts

Diploma chiefs in Bournemouth and Poole are thrilled after 174 students officially signed up for the new qualification starting locally from this September.

Despite the future of the new Diploma being less certain following the change in national government, the new Minister for Schools Nick Gibb has reassured schools and colleges that the qualification has a future.

Diplomas will be offered in eight subject areas in schools and colleges across the conurbation.

The huge sign-up locally follows a successful series of diploma tasters held in both boroughs in recent months allowing youngsters to have-a-go at the new way of learning.

Designed to be a flexible qualification for 14 to 19-year-olds, they can be studied at school or college and are different from GCSEs and A-levels because practical, hands-on experience related to the real world of work is built into the curriculum.

They will be available in the following subjects: Business Administration & Finance, Construction & the Built Environment, Creative & Media, Engineering, Hair & Beauty Studies, Information Technology, Society Health & Development, and Sport & Active Leisure.