Q & A with Diploma students
Friday 9 January 2009
We spoke to students doing the Diploma and found out how it's going for them so far.
What is a Diploma?
The Diploma is a qualification for 14-19 year olds which mixes classroom activities with creative thinking and practical work experience. It was introduced to prepare students for real life.
For more information read introduction to diplomas.
Students
We spoke to three students taking the Diploma:-
Meet Leah
“I’m 14 years old. I’m happy, fun and up for anything. I like to try out different things and to be myself. I like to read magazines - one of my favourites is Reveal.”
Meet Rajiv
“I’m 14 . Determined, hard-working and passionate. My favourite pastime is repairing things, technical things, like if a fuse goes in a music system then I’ll fix it. ”
Meet Kishen
“I’m 14 years and I’m hard-working, very sporty and I like messing around on computers. I like to play football with friends and for the school team. I’d like to join another club too."
What did they have to say?
What did you think when you first heard about the Diploma?
L: I thought it would be good because I’d get to go to a different college and I’d get to study different subjects like childcare and society. I’d like to work with people and this seemed like a good way to find out how I could.
K: I thought it looked unique and interesting but it has been even better than I expected.
How did you first hear about the Diploma qualification?
R: I saw a poster and then we talked about it in assembly. I talked to my teacher and had taster days. We got to work in groups and establish teamwork and things like that.
Which Diploma will you be taking?
L: I’m taking the Society, Health and Development Diploma.
R: Construction and the Built Environment.
K: Information Technology.
In what ways do you think the Diploma is different to existing qualifications such as GCSEs and A levels?
L: There’s more practical experience like going on placements and assessments rather than lots of exams.
R: It’s more hands on. Nearly every lesson you get to do something practical. You get marked on work you’ve done previously and as you go along, not just final exams at the end.
K: It’s not just IT it’s like business as well. It’s also been great to meet people from other schools.
What was it about the Diploma that appealed to you?
L: The whole thing appealed really - especially going to a different college.
R: The fact that it’s not just continual exams. I’m not an exam person so this suits me better. It’s really handy and practical, like last week we made carving joints, which was good and will be useful.
Now that you’ve started the Diploma, how have you found it so far?
K: It’s been quite challenging. We spend the morning helping a real business so it’s really involved!
R: It’s good, it’s not just writing but hands on as well. We go between sites and I’ve met lots of people from different schools. It’s been really good to meet new people and we’ve had to work with others which has made us make an effort with people from other schools.
What’s been your favourite thing so far about studying the Diploma?
R: The things we’ve built and the experience we’ve had so far. We’ve had to do a lot of health and safety and then some building and woodwork. We made something called a bench hook. The people who have been teaching us have already worked in construction so really know what they’re talking about.
K: Working with my friends mainly – it’s not just working individually it’s getting mixed in which I think is better.
What would you like to do after completing the Diploma?
L: I’ll have to see what results I get, but I want to carry on studying, whether that’s the advanced Diploma or A levels.
K: I’d like to own my own IT business or become a footballer! I think the skills from the Diploma will help as I’m already learning how businesses work.
What is your dream job?
R: Something in Architecture. You can’t go straight into owning your own business so I’ll have to go into a job first. In interviews I’ll be able to talk about the Diploma and the practical things I’ve done as part of the Diploma.
L: I’d love to model or do something to do with fashion and clothes. Or I’d like to do work where I get to travel. My Dad’s from Israel so going to different countries really appeals to me.
