ATL survey finds majority of teachers feel under prepared for launch of Diploma

A survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has found that thw majority of teachers have not been given enough time or training for the new Diplomas starting in September.

A survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has found that thw majority of teachers have not been given enough time or training for the new Diplomas starting in September.

Out of 241 ATL members working as teachers or lecturers in state schools, sixth form colleges and further education colleges in England, 55 percent complained that they have not been given enough training. In addition 50 per cent said they haven’t had enough time to prepare course work.

Almost 40 per cent said that their school or college is not equipped with sufficient teaching staffs for these courses. About 40 per cent didn’t think they have enough classroom space to teach the diploma courses.

A concerned teacher from a Dorset based school said:

“A programme of training should already have been underway – surprise, surprise it has not even started.”

According to ATL general secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, the addition of diplomas to an already congested market is a concern. She said the diplomas were being rushed out, increasing strain on teachers and lecturers

“This rush is putting a strain on staff and puts pressure on them to work through their weekends and holidays to get everything ready in time, and it is making setting up robust links between schools, colleges and employers problematic. We also continue to be worried about the addition of another qualification to an already crowded market, so are unsurprised to hear some pupils are not interested in getting involved.”

Moreover, teachers are also apprehensive of the links forged between schools, colleges and employers. According to many, the employers lack enough understanding of the courses. A teacher from Tower Hamlets said: “The background seems okay. But the logistic and inter-school co-operation and co-ordination seems too cumbersome.”

Reflecting upon the sheer lack of co-ordination between the new diplomas and employers, an FE lecturer from London said:

“There needs to be appropriate communication with the employment sector and HE so that they understand the value and areas covered by the diplomas. Some employers only just understand GCSE’s!”

The integrity of the qualifications is also questioned by many students. Heather Bunker, from Caistor Yarborough School in Lincolnshire, which is offering diplomas in creative media, and information technology, claimed: “Despite all the training and materials and advertising to pupils, pupils have voted with their feet.

“At our options evening not one pupil has chosen the diploma. They do not want only to study English, maths, science and ICT or creative arts. They want a broad education at 14 and that is what they have chosen. We have done everything asked of us, but we will not now be running it in September because we have no pupils, but we will offer it again next year.”

Teachers and lecturers are of opinion that the diplomas have not been tailored to needs of existing range of qualifications.

The City of Bristol College is offering foundation and higher diplomas in construction and built environment. Tony Osborne, one of its staff teachers said that the diplomas do not accommodate everybody’s needs. Other vocational courses that are already out there cannot be replaced.

Rinku Chatterjee