More choices for youngsters (From News Shopper)

More choices for youngsters

10:23am Wednesday 28th December 2005 in Education News

SECONDARY schools from across Bexley have been getting the lowdown on Government plans for revamping the teaching of 14 to 19-year-olds.

More than 60 school representatives were at a conference called Vision to Reality, to hear four expert speakers give their ideas on secondary education.

The Government is proposing greater flexibility and more choices for young people, with a concentration on basic skills.

There are also plans to introduce 14 specialised diplomas in subjects such as hair and beauty, construction, manufacturing and catering.

All the school representatives received an information pack which included a bid application form, to apply for up to £2,000 in Government grants to fund innovative schemes to increase the learning opportunities for young people.

There were also information stands from organisations such as the Prince's Trust, examination boards and Greenwich University.

The conference was organised by Bexley Council which says feedback from the schools which took part has been very positive.