The Wolf: Friend or Foe?

The Wolf Report, an independent review of Vocational Education, commissioned by the government was published in March. It focuses on vocational education between the ages of 14-19 and includes recommendations such as: strengthening core academic subjects and continuing provision post-16, increasing the range of vocational qualifications, as well as the need for greater access to apprenticeships. The purpose of the review is:

‘To consider how we can improve vocational education for 14-19 year olds and thereby promote successful progression into the labour market and into higher level education and training routes’

Download and read the report.

What others are saying

I’ve read through the report and also had a look to see what others are saying. I’ve selected a few of the responses by unions, councils as well as a piece by the Guardian.

• National Union of Teachers: ‘The report’s findings simply reinforce the historical view of vocational education in this country that it is the ‘Cinderella’ of the educational world’.
• NASUWT: ‘The Review’s recommendations will not deliver equity for all post-14 learners or secure parity of esteem between academic and vocational learning.’
• NIACE: ‘For a long time we have wanted to see parity of esteem between school teachers, with qualified teacher status and further education teachers (qualified teacher in learning and skills). The Institute for Learning has been tireless in taking this forward and will be pleased. Gove’s acceptance of this recommendation is a break-through;’
• Guardian: ‘It’s pleasing to see today’s report by Professor Alison Wolf directly recommending that businesses receive public subsidies to help them train apprentices and run internship programmes for under 19s.’

One thing is clear is that everybody has a view on the report. Whether it’s positive or negative, people within, as well as outside of, the vocational education sector have been talking about the Wolf Report and what impact it might have upon 14-19 year olds in England.

Let us know what you think by tweeting at us or by posting a comment below.

You might also be interested in joining in the Big Vocational Debate on Facebook