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A CONTROVERSIAL shake-up of secondary education will benefit pupils, Buckinghamshire's leading education councillor has asserted.

Concerns have been raised that children's futures are at risk if a diploma scheme - to be introduced from September - proves a failure.

But Marion Clayton, cabinet member for achievement and learning at Buckinghamshire County Council, said the qualification was a different way of learning'.

From the autumn term, 14-year-olds will be able to take the vocationally-driven diploma instead of GCSEs and A-levels.

Jerry Jarvis, head of exam board Edexcel, said that although he supported the diploma the results could end up "traumatic".

He told The Guardian: "If the diploma doesn't earn its spurs as a qualification, and that means respect from employers, pupils, parents and higher education, we face a serious problem.

"There is a huge educational risk to this country."

Yet Cllr Clayton said: "This is a fundamental change in education, a change in what students are offered.

"My own view is that, as long as the appropriate resources are put into place, it's a terrific idea.

"It's a very good initiative. It will offer a different way of learning."

The first diplomas will be available from September 2008 but will be rolled out over five years.

Two schools in south Bucks will be testing the new diplomas - Highcrest Community School in High Wycombe and Chalfonts Community College in Chalfont St. Peter.

The schools are working with Aylesbury Training Group to offer a diploma in engineering to year 10 students from September.

However, Cllr Clayton said it was vital that universities recognised the qualification.

She said: "The further education providers need to be absolutely signed up to this.

"Employers and universities need to recognise that these are valid qualifications. I hope that, with appropriate publicity, this will not be a problem."

Diplomas will be practical and vocational but will also have an academic element, she said.

Pupils will be required to study English, Maths and ICT and demonstrate a good level of understanding to gain the diploma.

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