2. What is a study programme?
Introduced in response to the Review of vocational education (2011) by Professor Wolf
Applies to students age (High needs Students with LDA/EHCP up to 25*)
Applies to school 6th forms, FE colleges, training providers, WBL providers, 6th form colleges
High needs learners are those who have Learning Difficulty Assessment / Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
* Some disagreement over age – some documents refer to age 24, others 25. Bash : at 31/8 but if you turn 25 after the 1/9 you are still classified as 19-24

3. Study programmes – the basics
Core aim (qualification / work experience)
Substantial approved academic / vocational qualification (LARS)
English and maths for anyone who has yet to achieve grade A*-C
Planned Employability, Enrichment and Pastoral (EEP) activities ie:
Personal development
Work experience / knowledge of world of work
HNS (up to age 25)
Supported internships
Traineeships
LARS – learning aims reference service. Check here to make sure the qualification is approved for funding.
Supported internships – high levels of support to get into work. “A supported internship is one type of study programme specifically aimed at young people aged 16 to 24 who have a statement of special educational needs, a Learning Difficulty Assessment, or an EHC plan, who want to move into employment and need extra support to do so.”
Traineeships – up to 6 months. For young people who are not quite ready to progress onto an apprenticeship or into work.
NB Learners with high needs may be exempted from English and maths formal qualifications but would need to continue to study these subjects and work towards GCSEs.

4. Post 16 qualification options
A levels
Tech level qualifications
TechBacc – L3 qualification, Core maths, extended project)
Technical certificates
Applied General Qualifications

5. English and maths GCSE / Functional Skills and the Grade D rule*
Condition of funding
* Students with a grade D at GCSE must be enrolled to GCSE. Below a grade D they must be working towards GCSE but can be enrolled to an approved stepping stone qualification, usually Functional Skills rather than GCSE. Grade D rule does not apply to traineeships or apprenticeships but they do need to continue to study qualifications in maths and English and progress towards GCSE.
Students who do not have a grade C or above and are not enrolled to an appropriate maths and English qualification will not meet the conditions of funding and do not attract any funding.

6. EEP activities Enhanced employability skills
“Real experience and knowledge of world of work”
“Character, skills, attitude and confidence that support progression” into higher level qualifications, training and / or employment
Tutorials etc
Dept of Education (2015)

7. EFA Funding ILR and planned hours
Guided and non-guided, timetabled hours
Different bands
Funding is per learner, based on number of guided learning hours (GLH) enrolled to. All hours need to be timetabled.
Funding is in bands based on glh.

8. Funding bands Band Annual timetabled hours in the academic year
Annual timetabled hours in the academic year
Applies to 5
Full time
540+ hours
16 and 17 year olds. Students aged 18 and over with high needs 4a
Part time
450+ hours
Students aged 18 and over who do not have high needs 4b
450 to 539 hours 3
360 to 449
All students 2
280 to 359 hours 1
Up to 279 hours
Ie full time learner must be timetabled for a minimum of 540 hours to attract the top funding. Learners who are 18 and over do not draw down the top rate of funding (ie band 5)

9. Sample A level study programme
Academic study programme activity
Planned hours (from timetable or learning plan)
A level 1
120
A level 2
100
A level 3
150
Work experience
Tutorial 80
Total
550
Example of a year long study programme

10. Sample L2 programme (FE)
Vocational programme
Hours per week
Vocational qualification (ie BTEC)
7.5
English GCSE 3
Functional Skills maths
Work experience
1.5
Other non accredited activities
Total hours per week
16.5
Example weekly timetable for a Level 2 learner at an FE college. At enrolment this student has a grade D in English and a grade E in maths

11. Current challenges New specifications for GCSE maths and English
New specifications for BTECs (exams)
Changes to A levels
GCSE maths and English will be graded 1-9 (9 is top grade)
GCSE English – no more controlled assessments, no set texts.
Due to be introduced in 16/17. If they are then the first students in 1617 will be studying a brand new curriculum and will likely need more hours per week to study this or need to enrol to a 2 year programme.
New BTEC qualifications which include exams are bring introduced. In 16/17 you have a choice whether to switch to the new specifications or continue with the old specs for 1 more year.
AS levels are going and all exams will be at end of 2 year course.

12. References and further reading
Department for Education. )2015)16-19 Study Programmes. (2015). accessed
Department for Education (2014) Supported Internships accessed
Education Funding Agency. (2015) funding: planned hours in study programmes.
accessed
Skills Funding Agency (2015) Traineeships accessed