Government defends its progress on diplomas

Schools secretary and schools minister reveal plans to develop the new qualifications and reject claims that the academies programme will lose momentum Only 12,000 pupils started the government's flagship diploma qualification this September, the schools secretary, Ed Balls, confirmed today, as he promised young people more of a say in the new courses. The figure reflects the caution with which pupils and parents are approaching the new qualification, which mixes work-based and traditional learning. It is a steep drop from the 20,000 students ministers estimated in May would start diplomas, and almost quarter the 50,000 take-up originally expected. Balls revealed the figure as he announced plans to take forward the government's 14-19 reform agenda. Under the plans, local consortia will have to take on board the views of young... [read full story]