Wolf Review of Vocational Education: call for evidence

The Government has commissioned Professor Alison Wolf to carry out an independent review of 14-19 vocational education in England. The Wolf Review will contribute to the development of the government's new approach to qualifications.

In his letter to Professor Wolf the Secretary of State stated his concern that in the past our education system has "failed to value practical education". Michael Gove further emphasised the Government’s determination that the qualifications for which young people study should all be rigorous, relevant and bear comparison with the best in the world.

Professor Wolf will provide an interim report by the end of 2010, and a final report by Spring 2011.

The review will not look at specific vocational qualifications and their content, but is instead concerned with structure and institutions, and will consider a number of specific questions:

In her call for evidence Professor Wolf also noted that:

"Given the emphasis of the review, and its very short timeline, I would especially welcome evidence relating to the overall structure of the current system. I would be very interested in hearing what you feel to be the two or three single most important problems with current institutional, funding and accountability arrangements and why. I would also welcome your views on the two or three most important changes that, in your opinion, should and could be made."

Submissions should be sent to wolf.review-evidence@education.gsi.gov.uk by Friday 29 October, 2010.

For general enquiries about the review email wolf.review@education.gsi.gov.uk.

The Secretary of State's letter to Professor Wolf is available from the Department for Education website.