Report
Vulnerable children's access to examinations at key stage 4
Research Report
No. 639, Department for Education and Skills
2005
Abstract
The research documented in this report examined barriers to vulnerable children accessing examinations at the end of key stage 4 and identified strategies employed to overcome them. Key groups of vulnerable children identified by the DfES included: looked after children, pupils unable to attend school because of their medical needs, Gypsy/Traveller pupils, asylum seekers, young carers, school refusers, teenage parents, young offenders, pupils with special educational needs (SEN), excluded pupils, minority ethnic pupils and children whose parents choose to educate them at home.
The research was conducted between June 2004 and February 2005 (i.e. before the publication of the White Paper, ‘14-19 Education and Skills’, some proposals in which are relevant to the findings of this report – see Appendix 6). Phase One provided an overview of existing research evidence in this area. A number of organisations working with vulnerable children were also contacted to explore their insights into supporting vulnerable young people to access examinations. Phase Two explored the issues surrounding vulnerable children’s access in greater detail via a telephone survey with LEA staff and key stakeholders from 40 LEAs, along with representatives from awarding bodies and other key organisations.
The following themes were identified as presenting possible barriers and challenges:
1 Characteristics of the examination system
2 Characteristics of the curriculum
3 Difficulties/needs of the vulnerable young people themselves
4 Issues of staff training, knowledge and resources
5 Legal powers, duties and responsibilities
Within each thematic area, the key barriers and challenges and associated solutions/
recommendations are presented.
Details
- Title
- Vulnerable children's access to examinations at key stage 4
- Authors/Creators
- Sally KendallAnnie JohnsonKerry MartinKay KinderNational Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) (Institution)
- Publication Details
- Research Report
- Series
- No. 639
- Publisher
- Department for Education and Skills; London, England, UK
- Number of pages
- 154
- Identifiers
- 1844784827; 991005569348307891
- Copyright
- © NFER Trading Ltd 2005
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Report
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