News

Clarification regarding non-GCSE qualifications in wider accountability measures for 14-16 year olds in 2014 performance tables

Last month the DfE published details of how the wider accountability measures (‘Best 8’ and ‘value added’) will be calculated in the 2014 performance tables. The key points of this are as follows:

1) 2014 performance tables (to be published early 2015) will include only those qualifications on the relevant DfE high-quality non-GCSE qualifications list. This is confirmed as the case for all measures, not just headline measures.

2) No more than two of these ‘non-GCSE’ qualifications will count in any measures reporting in the 2014 performance tables – including ‘Best 8’ and ‘Value-added’. Each qualification will only count as ‘one’.

3) The current secondary schools’ accountability consultation includes a proposal to publish a new ‘average point score 8’ measure, which would allow the inclusion of up to 3 non-GCSE /iGCSE qualifications from the approved list. However, decisions made as a result of the accountability consultation will not take effect until 2015 at the earliest.

4) Ofqual’s Register of Regulated qualifications will be updated in due course to reflect these changes in the points and contributions to level thresholds.

The DfE Press Notice and updated FAQs can be found here.

Art & design A-level research

University of the Arts London have been working with research specialists CFE to investigate A-levels. The research findings published in 'Fit for purpose: A-level Art & Design' aimed to compare and contrast the structure, content, delivery and assessment of the A-levels in Art and Design currently offered by AQA, OCR, Edexcel and WJEC; To identify the key strengths and weaknesses of, as well as any issues with, the existing qualifications; and, to present an assessment of what an ‘ideal curriculum’ for A-level Art and Design might look like. The report findings can be read here.
Full story...

International Online Drawing Course for Teenagers

AccessArt in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University has launched an online drawing course for teenagers aged 13+. Aimed at widening their drawing experience this online course will also provide the opportunity for teenagers to share their work over the web, and receive feedback from peers and tutors, connecting them to a moderated, wider community. Students will complete two drawing assignments in their own time and space, upload their work for comment and then receive an AccessArt/Anglia Ruskin University certificate, and have the opportunity to exhibit their drawings in Cambridge School of Art.
Full story...

A Manifesto for the Creative Economy

'A Manifesto for the Creative Economy', Hasan Bakhshi, Ian Hargreaves and Juan Mateos-Garcia, published by Nesta, sets out ten areas in which policy refreshment is urgent.
Full story...

Qualification development and external assessment development

NCFE have developed the V Certs in line with the Technical Guidance released by Ofqual and DfE. The five qualifications have been accredited and approved for Key Stage 4 Performance Tables 2015 and they are:
Full story...

Further News Items

See the Further News Items for a full listing of all stories.

Notice Board

The notice board is a place to post requests for help, ideas and inspiration! This service is only available to NSEAD members and subscribers to START magazine.