§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to increase the flexibility of Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 to take account of the needs of further education colleges who are working in partnership with local schools to provide alternatives to the National Curriculum; and if he will make a statement. [98980]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeAny external qualification which meets the published principles for approval can be approved under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. The qualifications are approved for specific age groups; pre-16; 16–18 or over 18 but under 19. Approvals are independent of delivery arrangements.
There are already 271 partnerships between schools, further education colleges and others as part of the Increased Flexibility for 14–16 Year Olds' Programme delivering vocational and work-related learning opportunities to 14–16 year olds.