The government has announced the creation of new V Levels qualifications for students age 16-19. NSEAD calls on the government to ensure subject experts are at the heart of their making.
In June of this year, the Department for Education (DFE) confirmed its commitment to T Levels as the preferred route for vocational pathways, and that young people would be steered towards ‘T’ Levels rather than existing Applied General Qualifications (AGQs).
V levels will replace Level 3 BTecs and other post-16 technical qualifications. Students will still be able to study A-levels or T-levels after their GCSEs, or start an apprenticeship.
Launching the V level introduction, Bridget Phillipson said: 'Vocational education has been 'an afterthought' for too long'
Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said, 'V-levels aimed to simplify options for students.'
Michele Gregson, CEO and general secretary of NSEAD said:
'We believe these developments reinforce the need for subject-specialist voices, including those in vocational and applied subjects, to be at the heart of policymaking:
- Different subjects require different pedagogies.
- Effective policies, practices and curricular must reflect that reality.
- Whether academic or applied, subject expertise matters.
'At the heart of the vocational education debate is the importance of protecting student choice and making policy decisions that reflect the reality of how students learn, and ensuring they can access high-level choices in every subject, for every pathway.'