§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what additional resources will be made available to schools which decide to offer vocational GCSE courses. [931]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Department will fund an extensive programme of support for schools and colleges, planned to begin in autumn 2001. Vocational GCSEs will build on the best of existing Part One GNVQs. The support programme will help all those offering the new qualification to prepare for its introduction. This will include staff training and support materials. In addition, a general programme aimed at increasing work related learning opportunities at Key Stage 4, with funding of £38 million, will be made available in 2002–04.