HC Deb 07 October 2003 vol 411 cc163-4W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on working with(a) Sea Cadets, (b) Army Cadets and (c) Air Training Corps in the provision of greater curriculum flexibility for 14 to 19 year olds. [131812]

Miliband

Our policy document, 14 to 19: Opportunity and Excellence sets out how we intend to ensure that young people are offered greater choice, coherence and quality in their programmes. We explained that all 14 to 19 year olds should be involved in wider activities and experience beyond the curriculum which can enrich learning, while developing practical skills and interests. Participation in the Sea and Army Cadets and the Air Training Corps is one positive form of such participation.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the pilot schemes for greater flexibility in the 14 to 19 curriculum. [131814]

Mr. Miliband

The 14 to 19 pathfinders, which are testing, among other things, greater curriculum flexibility and choice, are currently being evaluated. We plan to publish the outcomes in January 2004. In addition, the 'Increased Flexibility for 14 to 16 year olds' Programme has provided new vocational and work-related learning opportunities for this age group, including provision of the new GCSEs in vocational subjects. This Programme too is being evaluated and the findings are due to be published early in 2004.

In the meantime, we intend to amend the National Curriculum at Key Stage 4 to give schools greater flexibility in responding to the needs of their pupils. The Working Group on 14 to 19 Reform has been asked to consider how there might be greater coherence in learning programmes for young people throughout their 14 to 19 education.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funds were allocated to(a)schools, (b) futher education colleges and (c) other providers in connection with pilot schemes for greater flexibility in the 14 to 19 curriculum in 2003–04. [131813]

Mr. Miliband

The information is not available in the form requested. In the academic year 2003/04, £16 million has been allocated to the 14–19 pathfinders which are testing, among other things, greater curriculum flexibility and choice.

All the 14–19 pathfinders involve partnership and collaboration among a variety of different institutions and providers including schools, colleges, training providers, employers and higher education institutions. Funding is allocated and monitored at partnership level through the pathfinder lead body, which may be, for example, the local education authority, Local Learning and Skills Council, a school or an FE college.

The 'Increased Flexibility for 14–16 year olds' Programme is also providing new vocational and work-related learning opportunities for this age group, including provision of the new vocational GCSEs. During 2003–04, this Programme is providing £38.3 million via the Learning and Skills Council to the lead partners, which are mainly FE colleges, to support provision in schools and colleges.

We also expect schools and FE colleges to use their mainstream funding to provide greater curriculum flexibility.