Evaluation of Increased Flexibility for 14-16 year olds Programme: outcomes for the second cohort

The Increased Flexibility for 14-16 year olds Programme (IFP) was introduced in 2002 by the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in order to ‘create enhanced vocational and work-related learning opportunities for 14-16 year olds who can benefit most’. Partnerships between schools and colleges and training providers were formed and two cohorts of Year 10 students began two-year vocational courses including National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), other Vocational Qualifications (VQs) and new General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSEs) in vocational subjects. The partnerships aimed to enhance student attainment, develop their skills, knowledge and social learning, and increase retention in education and training after 16. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) was commissioned by the DfES to conduct an evaluation of the first and second cohorts of IFP students. This report focuses on the outcomes for participants who participated in the programme between 2003 and 2005 (second cohort) during a time of change in 14 to 19 policy. The evaluation of the second cohort of IFP participants aimed to: evaluate the extent to which the IFP has fulfilled its national aims, objectives and targets; and assess the impact of vocational qualifications and new work-related learning opportunities on young people’s attainment and post-16 progression. Overall, the majority of participants in the second cohort had achieved their qualifications in line with expectations based on their prior attainment and other background and school-level characteristics. The majority (87 per cent) of the representative sample of young people had progressed onto further education or training after completing their involvement in IFP. Implications for policy and practice are proposed in relation to: sustaining progression; provision of appropriate qualification types; English and mathematics provision within the IFP programmes; addressing discontinuation; and location of study.

Other reports from the evaluation are indexed at TD/TNC 77.125, TD/TNC 80.651, TD/TNC 80.678 and TD/TNC 80.679.

The Increased Flexibility for 14-16 year olds Programme (IFP) was introduced in 2002 by the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in order to ‘create enhanced vocational and work-related learning opportunities for 14-16 year olds who can benefit most’. Partnerships between schools and colleges and training providers were formed and two cohorts of Year 10 students began two-year vocational courses including National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), other Vocational Qualifications (VQs) and new General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSEs) in vocational subjects. The ...  [+] Show more