Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will issue guidance to secondary schools on how to support students starting year 10 in 2027 who want a technical or vocational education ahead of the 2028 introduction date.

Our ambition is to give every young person access to high-quality academic and technical education pathways from age 14 and to support progression into further study, training and skilled employment. We recognise that having access to high-quality vocational qualifications at school, alongside a strong academic core, is essential to help pupils consider the range of post-16 pathways available.

Schools are free to decide which qualifications they will offer in each subject they teach. However, as part of their duty to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, schools are expected to offer a range of subject options to help meet the aspirations of all pupils.

There are a range of Level 1 and 2 Technical Awards already available, which can be found in the 2027 performance tables list, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-4-qualifications-discount-codes-and-point-scores.