Stories of second-chance students: 'Now I don't feel scared at all'
Four Access to HE diploma holders heading to university this autumn tell us how the coursegave them another chance to build a better life
July 2016
Plans to force academic or vocational choice on pupils over 16
Proposed education reforms include scrapping thousands of technical qualifications in favour of 15 ‘pathways’
December 2014
Thousands of ‘fake’ students at UK's new higher education colleges
National Audit Office warns that students at unmonitored alternative providers could have accessed over £50m in funding
September 2010
Does skills-based learning face a lean future?
The outgoing chief executive of education charity Asdan is worried about the prospects for vocational learning
August 2010
Mortarboard blog
GCSE results 2010 – live blog
Paul Owen with all the latest from schools around the country as GCSE and diploma students receive their results
June 2010
Primary curriculum and academic diplomas to be axed
Labour's planned new curriculum will be dropped as part of a £359m programme of education cuts
April 2010
Diplomas in rural areas threatened by transport problems
Diplomas are growing in popularity, but there are questions over how transport for diploma students is to be funded in rural areas following the demise of the Learning and Skills Council
March 2010
Education letters
Objections to David Laws's verdict on diplomas, and giving parents the power to sweep away school leaderships – is it wise?
February 2010
What's the policy we might vote for?
Readers interview David Laws, the Lib Dems' education spokesman
December 2009
Exam watchdog sets out plan to save new diploma
Ofqual says government's flagship qualification needs to be radically simplified to make it viable in the future
October 2009
Diplomas too difficult for pupils, says survey
Government's alternative to A-levels and GCSEs too difficult for thousands of teenagers they were designed for
September 2009
Exam board chief quits
Teenagers reject diplomas
August 2009
Results day for the new diploma
Scepticism over value of diplomas
New diplomas struggle with three Rs, inquiry finds
Diplomas more expensive than GCSEs or A-levels
July 2009
Universities are failing students with vocational qualifications
Students with vocational qualifications are less likely to get into top universities – and more likely to drop out
May 2009
Diplomas invalid for many top university courses
Only 40% of courses at universities in one group will accept diplomas for entry, says Ucas
