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Education for 14 to 19 year olds

Changes in education and training mean there is a wider choice of courses for 14 to 19 year-olds and more emphasis on learning useful things. Young people need to be given the skills and qualifications to do well whether they go on to further study or to work.

The Entitlement Framework

The Entitlement Framework (EF) ensures that pupils have more equal access to a broad range of courses, including greater balance between general (academic) and applied (vocational, professional and technical) courses.

From September 2013 therefore, schools will be required to provide access to at least 18 courses at Key Stage 4.  This will increase to 21 courses by September 2014, and the full 24 by September 2015.

The post-16 requirements will also be phased in, starting with 21 courses from September 2013, then 24 courses by September 2014 and the full 27 courses by September 2015.  At both KS4 and post-16 level, at least one-third of all courses must be ‘general’ courses, and at least one-third ‘applied’ courses.

The objective is to guarantee all post primary pupils aged 14 and above greater choice and flexibility by providing them with access to a wide range of learning opportunities suited to their needs, aptitudes and interests, no matter where they live or the school they attend.

It will:

  • increase choice of general and applied courses
  • deal with issues of access to courses across the geographical and sectoral divides
  • facilitate the development of courses that match pupil needs and support economic growth
  • enhance the ability of schools to plan and manage collaborative arrangements for the benefit of all pupils in the local area
  • build capacity in terms of whole school and area based planning, ensure effective use of resources within a local area partnership and avoid duplication in schools and colleges

Delivering the EF

It is recognised that while some schools will be able to deliver the requirements of the EF, many others will have to work with other schools, colleges and other providers to provide access to the full range of courses.

DE and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) will continue to support co-operation among schools and between schools and colleges and other providers

Progress to date

Many more schools now have more innovative and creative approaches and this is a big change of culture.

There are now 29 Area Learning Communities (ALC) established across all board areas within which schools, further education colleges and other providers are working to increase the range of courses in each area. All six further education colleges are delivering professional and technical courses to pupils from all school type.

An EF online audit provides schools and ALCs with data on all courses on offer and has been developed by the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) on behalf of DE.

Further information

Additional information on the Entitlement Framework and circulars that have been issued to schools are available on the DE website:

GCSEs

Changes to the way GCSEs are assessed were introduced from September 2009:

  • coursework, which has been an important element in the assessment of most subjects, has been replaced by controlled assessments supervised by teachers
  • teacher assessment along with the increased safeguards introduced with controlled assessment continues to be a significant element in the assessment of practical subjects such as art and design, design and technology, home economics, music and physical education
  • from September 2010, GCSE English, Irish (Gaeilge), maths and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have put more importance on the essential skills that young people need to prepare them for work and adult life

A consultation was held in 2011 on proposed changes to the way GCSEs are currently assessed. The proposed changes involved moving assessment back to the end of the two-year course, as opposed to the current system where some subjects are assessed at the end of units throughout the two years.

It was decided to leave assessment open and allow individual schools to choose between unitised GCSEs (where assessment can be taken throughout the two years) or linear GCSEs (where assessment is taken at the end).

Changes will be made to the assessment of English literature, geography, history and religious studies where additional marks will be available for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Changes to A levels

An A* grade was introduced from 2010 to reward outstanding achievement and make it easier for universities and colleges to identify high achievers.

Within the revised specifications and assessments there are:

  • more open-ended questions, with answers requiring extended writing
  • stretch and challenge questions

More useful links

Do it online