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School tables need this qualification
DISCUSSIONS surrounding league tables focus on the alleged unfairness of allowing schools to count GNVQ vocational qualifications in reporting their performance, instead of GCSEs alone (Qualifications are of ‘little use’, Jan 17).
It is claimed that intellectual skills are acquired only from academic study; that GNVQs are easy and that subjects such as hospitality and catering are treated as being more valuable than physics. These assertions need to be challenged.
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It is true that the GNVQ is an imperfect qualification. For that reason, vocational GCSEs and other qualifications are being introduced. The essence of all vocational curricula is the real-time application of judgment, understanding and skill within a practical context. I have seen 16-year-olds with an avowed distaste for maths enthusiastically engage with a vocational programme in field surveying, unaware that they were approaching the margins of advanced trigonometry The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is committed to ensuring that the national curriculum is accessible to people with different abilities; the incentive is for the school to broaden its curriculum.
Despite some reported abuse, it is not intended to be an incentive for an individual to take health and social care rather than maths.
Dr Ken Boston
chief executive,
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
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AT UK YOUTH — the leading youth work charity in the UK — we want to open up the debate around how success is measured. We need to reflect the achievements of the thousands of young people whose potential remains unrecognised within the academic system. Let’s look at how non-formal learning can be brought into the curriculum.
On March 14, UK Youth will hold a national conference “More Rungs on the Ladder” to look at visions of what education can encompass. Otherwise we, as educators, will be of “little use” to current and future generations.
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John Bateman OBE
chief executive,
UK Youth
Concern for carers
YOUR article (Healthcare cuts hurt carers, Jan 17) holds concerns for people who care for elderly, sick or disabled relatives, unpaid, in the UK.
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Shortfalls in service provision mean that carers take on more. It is vital that the forthcoming White Paper on health and social care contains a real package of support for carers. Not only is there a strong moral agenda, but a clear economic rationale to this argument.
Carers’ support is worth £57 billion a year, equivalent to a second NHS. What is a short-term budgetary gain for a primary care trust is a long-term loss for carer and family.
Imelda Redmond
chief executive,
Carers UK
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Crimefighters need a hand
THE willingness of volunteers to prevent crime and tackle yobbish behaviour should be welcomed (No reward for community spirit, Jan 17). More than 250,000 people commit time and effort to securing justice and fighting crime.
But it should also be recognised that there are challenges involved. Just as we train and support volunteers to work in the remaining youth clubs which certainly prevent such yobbish behaviour, we should equally offer assistance to those ready to help prevent crime in other ways. The challenge is to find ways of supporting active citizens, recognising their contribution and rewarding their efforts positively.
Dame Elisabeth Hoodless,
executive director,
CSV
Third sector solution
CRITICS of the proposals to reform probation services acknowledge that change is needed, yet don’t advance any solutions themselves (Experts contest rapid reforms, Jan 17).
The third sector already plays a huge role in many prisons and in help for ex-offenders. Restructuring probation services need not mean privatisation by the back door. The third sector has as much expertise as private companies in working with offenders, and partnerships between private and voluntary organisations may offer innovative solutions.
David Hunter,
policy and development officer,
Acevo