Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Rejected
Paragraph: 165
Successful IB Careers Programme faces unwarranted defunding despite strong student progression outcomes
Conclusion
The IB Careers Programme (IBCP) is a broad and flexible post-16 qualification, enabling students to acquire a valuable blend of academic, vocational and employability skills. The IBCP prepares students effectively for a range of progression opportunities. A destinations survey for the 2019 IBCP cohort showed that 56% of students had progressed to higher education, 19% to employment and 11% to an apprenticeship. The IBCP has been particularly successful in Kent, where it has been adopted by 24 schools to support local aspirations of economic regeneration and employability. Despite these successes, the Department does not plan to continue funding the IBCP.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the committee's assertion, stating it has not said it will withdraw funding for the IB Career Related Programme (CRP). It clarifies that it will continue to fund the IB Diploma and explains how different components of the CRP could still be approved for funding if they meet published criteria.
Paragraph Reference:
165
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) offer two main products in England: the IB Diploma; and the IB Career Related Programme (CRP). The individual subjects are also available for study as standalone qualifications. The Government will continue to approve the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma for funding. It will continue to be subject to regulation by Ofqual. The Government has not said that it will withdraw funding for the IB Careers Programme. The Career Related Programme (CRP) is comprised of three parts: • Individual subjects from the IB Diploma – of which students must take at least 2. • Career Programme core – comprised of four interrelated components which provide students with academic and practical skills: Personal and professional skills; Service Learning; Reflective Project; and Language Development. • Career-related studies – this part is another awarding organisation’s (AO) qualification that IBO have approved. Most often these are Applied General qualifications (AGQs) and include some BTECs. We will approve the individual subjects for funding separately from the diploma if IBO choose to submit them for approval and they meet our published criteria for alternative academic qualifications. The components of the Career Programme Core will also need to meet the new criteria for approval as Applied Academic Qualifications for example, but if they do meet all the published requirements, they would be funded. The Department does not make decisions on which qualifications IBO wishes to approve for inclusion in the Career-related studies element of the CRP.