23.10.07
Statement from the 1994 Group on Diplomas
Speaking following the event today to mark the launch of the 14-19 Diplomas, Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter and Chair of the 1994 Group, said: "The 1994 Group believes that the 14-19 diplomas offer the potential to become a radical alternative to the existing curriculum. We recognise the strong potential the diplomas offer to provide the stretch that is needed to demonstrate the quality of school leavers at the highest level of achievement, but also, through a more holistic approach to the secondary educational experience, their ability to broaden the horizons of even the most disaffected pupils."
As part of the 1994 Group's strong commitment to the student experience, the Group is currently engaged in a joint project with the DCSF to assess the impact of the 14-19 curriculum reforms on our member institutions to ensure that students who have taken the new diploma qualifications are able to be welcomed onto degree courses at the very best universities. The project outcomes will be published in January 2008.
"The Group's work on 14-19 reform is reflective of our member institutions strong shared belief in the role that universities play within the wider community," continued Professor Smith, "I am, therefore, delighted to accept the invitation extended by the Secretary of State, Ed Balls to represent the 1994 Group on the Expert Advisory Group tasked with advising the department on the further development of the diploma lines."
Notes for Editors
Further information on the DCSF/1994 Group 14-19 Curriculum Reform Project [PDF 23k]
The 1994 Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in research and teaching. The 1994 Group represents nineteen of the most research-intensive universities in the UK. In 2007, for the third successive year, the 1994 Group emerged as the leading group of universities in the National Student Survey.
The Group's members are small- to medium-sized institutions, and are generally campus-based.
They operate on a human and personal scale, maximising student-staff contact and ensuring an adaptable and inter-disciplinary approach to both research and teaching. Research-led teaching is key to the 1994 Group's mission, and a large majority of the top academics who achieved the Group's outstanding results in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise teach students.
Member universities are: University of Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Royal Holloway University of London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Reading, University of St Andrews, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, University of Warwick and University of York.
Press Enquiries: Stuart Franklin, Head of Press and PR, University of Exeter, 01392 263146