The plan offers a coherent and shared approach to delivery of the key outcomes identified in the 14-19 Implementation Plan. Effective implementation will require collaborative contribution from both the school and college sectors. Within the timescales of the Implementation Plan, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the Quality Improvement Agency are well placed to be able to build on the strengths of their respective sectors and existing networks. Collaboration between both organisations means that outcomes will be delivered effectively and offer good value for money.

To design, commission and ensure effective delivery of a high quality programme of support for the implementation of the first set of Diplomas, ensuring that there are sufficient teaching and support staff in place with the competence to deliver them to a high standard.

The objectives of the support programme are to:

• Design a programme of support for the introduction of the first set of Diplomas by summer 2006
• Design, publish and disseminate draft teaching materials for trial in schools and colleges in 2007 / 2008 
• Develop and produce teaching and CPD materials to build the capacity of practitioners (teaching, support staff and adults other than teachers) to implement generic and specialised aspects of the specialised Diplomas
• Monitor and evaluate the teaching materials and CPD materials during the trial, making improvements on an ongoing basis
• Deliver a comprehensive professional development programme to those schools, colleges and training providers offering the first Diplomas from September 2008
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the support programme and materials 
• Extend the programme of support to those schools, colleges and training providers offering the first Diplomas from September 2009 and 2010

The Quality and Improvement Agency (QIA) is a new NDPB, which will lead the development of a three-year quality improvement strategy for the learning and skills sector.

QIA will commission contractors to take the management lead on areas within this proposal such as the development of materials, including a VLE, and external evaluation.

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) is an independent, not for profit organisation, and the lead body for the specialist schools and academies programmes.

Within the Diploma support programme, the SSAT will take the management lead on training and ongoing support, and on the matrix of national (Diploma lines) and regional (training and support) networks.

SSAT and QIA are committed to working in partnership to ensure that all those delivering the new Diplomas, regardless of provider institution, receive high quality support. Trainers and leading Diploma practitioners will be recruited from all sectors to ensure credibility with all practitioners. SSAT and QIA are also committed to effective and sustained models of continuing professional development.

SSAT and QIA are sensitive to balancing the need for a substantial and robust training programme, requiring input by current leading practitioners to be credible, while minimising impact in terms of withdrawing staff from the schools and colleges in which they work. The plan builds on a realistic mix of serving and new staff, leading practitioners and experienced consultants. These will deliver the capacity needed for the training programme, and enable all sectors to contribute to the process.

• A set of draft teaching materials available for each of the first Diplomas at Levels 1, 2 and 3 from summer 2007 
• Teaching materials, training materials and CPD support for each of the first five Diplomas at Levels 1, 2 and 3 available in England from September 2007 
• Trainers trained and approved by summer 2007
• 5,000 practitioners trained by September 2008
• A matrix of regional and national support networks phased in to match the implementation process. This matrix will involve networks to offer training and ongoing, sustained coaching and mentoring for practitioners delivering generic and specialised aspects of the Diplomas

The plan includes a commitment to offer focused support to those providers that wish to offer Diplomas from September 2008 and will therefore be assessed through the Gateway process. The 14-19 Implementation Plan estimates that up to 5,000 practitioners will need to be trained by 2008, but this will obviously depend on the outcomes of the Gateway process.

The programme will contain five key strands of activity:

1. Sets of materials:
   • Guidance for delivering generic aspects of Diplomas, contextualised to specific Diploma lines
   • Guidance for employers engaged with the Diploma programme
   • Teaching and Learning in the specific Diploma line of learning
   • CPD
2. Face to face training programme for practitioners (teachers, support staff and adults other than teachers)
3. Networks, including ongoing support
   • National Diploma learning networks
   • Regional training and support networks
4. Communications and marketing
5. Monitoring and evaluation

Key people at SSAT involved with this support programme are:

Heather Sillitoe, Head of 14-19 Strategy
Sue Braybrook, Head of National Diploma Networks
Sarah Ridgway, Head of Regional Diploma Networks
Rhiannon Yarranton, Project Manager
Kerrie Wenham, Project Officer

If you wish to contact SSAT about this support programme, please email: diplomanetwork@ssatrust.org.uk.