Following the Tomlinson Report in 2004 and the 14 -19 White Paper in 2005, QCA embarked on an extensive programme of work to reform curriculum and qualifications for 14 -19 year olds.

This ambitious programme aims to ensure that every young person in secondary education has access to a high-quality, interesting and useful curriculum that will help them achieve their potential and progress to further and higher education and skilled careers.

The key elements of the reform programme are:

• new Diplomas covering 14 industry sectors at three levels (see pages 24-26)
• reforming A levels to reduce the burden of assessment while ensuring that every candidate is stretched and challenged
• creating new functional skills standards and qualifications in English, mathematics and ICT
• reviewing and updating GCSEs
• supporting learners below level 2 and level 1 through the foundation learning tier
• developing a new extended project qualification (see page 11).

Qualifications rationalisation: a case study from the exercise and fitness industry In order to work in the exercise and fitness industry today, people increasingly need membership of, and recognition by, the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). All existing National Qualifications Framework (NQF) qualifications are recognised for entry onto REPs. However, existing NQF qualifications are very different, particularly in size and content. This has caused confusion within the market as well as issues between awarding bodies around funding and market-place performance. In 2006, agreement was reached at the Exercise and Fitness Awarding Bodies Forum to create a level qualifications playing field, with consistent, up-to-date and correct qualifications provision across the awarding bodies. SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for active leisure and learning, has worked with technical experts from the relevant awarding bodies to draft the templates for the new units of study. These are based on National Occupational Standards and have encouraged debate with employers about the knowledge and skills fitness instructors require. A set of qualification titles, unit titles, guided learning hours, learning outcomes and assessment criteria has been agreed.