Call for more vocational learning in schools
Gabriella Jozwiak
Monday, January 21, 2013
Young people who are more suited to applied and practical learning are being disadvantaged by a focus on academic learning in England's secondary schools, a report has claimed.
The study by think-tank Policy Exchange follows a 2011 Institute of Education report that found more than 30 per cent of young people drop out of their A-level courses.
It warns that the introduction of the English Baccalaureate will “incentivise an overt school focus on traditional academic studies”, but says vocational education could offer “greater choice and better outcomes for many of our young people”.
“An alternative technical route through the education system could benefit the many students whose needs are not currently being met, as well as employers who complain about skills shortages especially in science and technology areas,” said Owen Corrigan, author of the report.
“Everyone should, of course, have the opportunity to study at university regardless of their background. However, vocational and technical studies should not be seen as inferior or second best.
“That means ensuring that the technical and vocational options on offer are of the highest quality, allowing us to produce the next generation of technicians, to better prepare students for the world of work, and to better meet the needs of both students and business.”
The report makes a number of recommendations on creating good quality vocational training, such introducing clearer vocational education routes for 14- to 19-year-olds, made possible by a dedicated commissioning unit at the Department for Education.
The report also advocates tougher Ofsted inspections of vocational provision, placing more stringent controls on schools to ensure they meet careers guidance duties, and new funding arrangements that dissuade sixth forms from retaining students who would benefit more from a vocational education.
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers was broadly supportive of the report’s suggestions.
“We believe that all secondary schools need to get better at employer engagement including those with a more obvious academic bent if they are serious about the long-term career prospects of their pupils in the current economic climate,” said a spokesman.
“We also echo the expressed sentiments about information, advice and guidance in schools being 'a scandal' and are deeply concerned that almost two-thirds of the schools surveyed seem intent on ignoring the new statutory requirements.”
A YouGov poll of more than 1,600 published alongside the report found 47 per cent of adults thought there was too much focus on academic subjects at school and not enough practical, job-related training.
In January last year, the government announced that more than 3,000 vocational qualifications would be excluded from school performance league tables from January 2015.
