Wolf Review

Wolf’s independent review, commissioned by Education Secretary Michael Gove, was on the role of Vocational Education for 14-19 year olds. It makes detailed recommendations for how to help improve, create and maintain vocational education for 14- to 19-year-olds.

There have been sensational headlines around the value of VQs, and 16 year olds having to re-take English and Maths qualifications until they achieve a grade C… but what does the sector think about Professor Wolf’s report?

The review looks at institutional arrangements, funding mechanisms including arrangements for who bears the cost of qualifications, progression from vocational education to work, higher education and higher level training, the role of the third sector, private providers, employers and awarding bodies.

The report says that around 300,000 to 400,000 students between the age group of 16 to 19 years old are on courses that do not lead them to higher education or good jobs.

Professor Wolf calls for the system to be “honest” so that young people are not pushed to make decisions that could be unproductive for their future prospects.

“The system is complex, expensive and counterproductive,” Alison warns

Recommendations in the review include an overhaul of the system to simplify the process and remove the incentives that encourage learning providers to enter students for low-quality qualifications.

The review also urges that working towards a ‘C’ at Maths and English GCSE be made compulsory for all 16 to 19 year olds who have not already achieved this.

Mr Gove has already accepted four of Professor Wolf’s recommendations:

1. To allow qualified further education lecturers to teach in school classrooms on the same basis as qualified school teachers.
2. To clarify the rules on allowing industry professionals to teach in schools.
3. To allow any vocational qualification offered by a regulated awarding body to be taken by 14 to 19 year olds.
4. To allow established high-quality vocational qualifications that have not been accredited to be offered in schools and colleges in September 2011.

The recommendations have also been welcomed by businesses, academic institutions and vocational learning providers.