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CHILDCARE SUCCESS FOR BEXLEY STUDENTS
Childcare students from Bexley came together to celebrate their recent exam successes last month at a special presentation evening.The 26 students had completed a number of different childcare qualifications from Level one ‘Working with Children’ to a Certificate in Education.”It is important that we recognise the achievements of our childcare students. Their success contributes not only to their career progression but to the high quality of childcare in the borough,” says Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children Services, Cllr Teresa O’Neill. “We must also remember that many of the students that received their certificates were studying while managing a busy family life and have still passed with flying colours. I congratulate them all.” During the presentation evening held at Barnehurst Golf Club, students were given a chance to find out more about the range of childcare qualifications available and the support that the Council can provide to students as they study.Many of the successful students initially became interested in taking on a qualification after coming along to introductory courses run by the council. To find out more about future introductory courses or childcare qualifications in Bexley call 01322 356370 or e-mail angela.sharp@bexley.gov.uk or visit www.bexley.gov.uk/service/children/careers/index.html
School Admissions Success
This year’s schools admission figures for London make Bexley Council one of the most successful local authorities for allocating secondary school places, providing 2,687 parents and carers with one of their six preferences.
Year six students across Bexley were sent their secondary school place offers earlier this month (1 March). In Bexley this year 2,772 parents and carers applied for secondary school places and 97% were offered one of their preferences, putting the borough in third place across London behind Harrow and Hillingdon. Only 85 (3%) of children have not yet been allocated a place. Many of these were applications with only one preference.
“This success rate is due to the quality of information we, together with our schools, give parents, carers and schools, along with a lot of hard work and excellent organisation from our Admissions Team,” says the Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services, Cllr Simon Windle.
“But we cannot be complacent. We recognise that there are a small number of children who are still without a school and the team will provide support and information to make sure that everyone in the borough has a school place. For September 2008 entry, the process for which will start shortly, we must also try to ensure that parents and carers complete the Common Application Form in such a way as to maximise their chances of securing a place for their child at the first opportunity.”
Children that have not been allocated a school place have been given details on how to appeal and invited to go on a waiting list for one school. Children that accept an available school place will not jeopardise their position on a waiting list or their right of appeal.
This was the first year that Bexley parents and carers were able to apply for school on-line. Just over 9% of secondary school applications were made on-line, beating the Government’s target of 5%.
Bexley have been part of the Pan London admissions project for three years. Bexley is one of 32 authorities - 28 in London and four in surrounding areas - that exchange information about applications to each others’ schools and working together to determine the single best offer that can be made to parents.
By reducing the instances of parents being made more than one offer, Bexley has been able to make more parents an offer at one of their preferred schools and reduce the number of parents who received no initial offer at all.
BEXLEY PASS THE DIPLOMA TEST
Young people aged between 14-19 in Bexley will be amongst the first in the country to be able to study a new and work-relevant qualification at school and college in 2008, with the introduction of a new diploma, announced by Education and Skills Secretary Alan Johnson and Schools Minister Jim Knight. The pioneering North & Central Bexley Consortium, comprising of schools, colleges, employers and other organisations, have been given the go ahead to teach the new Diploma from September 2008 in Bexley.
Young people across the ability range in Bexley will be able to study Diplomas in Construction and the Built Environment; Creative and Media Lines; and IT. They will be offered their choices in autumn 2007.
The new Diploma will allow students to progress to further study, university or work. Students will be able to choose Diplomas alongside GCSEs or A-levels or in place of them.
Young people will have a wider choice to study what they want and where they want and will be better prepared for further study or work. Diplomas uniquely combine essential skills and knowledge, hands-on experience and working with employers.
Young people will be able to choose a Diploma in one of 14 ‘lines of learning’, with the first five (Construction and the Built Environment; Creative and Media; Engineering; IT; Society, Health and Development) available from September 2008. Students will be able to learn in different environments, including schools, colleges and workplaces.
Secretary of State for Education and Skills Alan Johnson said:
“Diplomas will be an attractive and flexible option for young people in Bexley. They are just one part of our plans to encourage more young people to stay in education and training. With fewer low-skilled jobs, we need more high-skilled young people. Diplomas will provide the missing link - creating the mix of vocational and academic education which we’ve lacked for so long. Their introduction is one of the most radical educational developments taking place anywhere in the world and we are putting funding, energy and commitment into making them a reality.”
Jim Knight, Minister for Schools and 14-19 Learners, said:
“This is an exciting time for education and skills - and for the schools and colleges whose local students in Bexley will be the first people to benefit from these brand new qualifications.
“Diplomas are a radical step forward, combining the best of theoretical and applied learning. They will give students more choices, provide employers with the knowledge and skills we need to make the country more competitive, and offer universities students who are motivated to academic learning through work-related skills. The first Diplomas are now taking shape and the programme is on target to deliver the rest.
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