Vocational education involves work-related qualifications and training designed for students aged 14–18, driven by changing economic needs and technological advancements.
Qualifications include:
NVQs (Levels 1–7) in fields like:
Applied A Levels and Diplomas in areas such as:
T Levels, two-year post-GCSE courses in subjects like:
Apprenticeships, combining work, training, and study.
The rise of vocational education reflects functionalist views that schools must equip students with skills needed by modern businesses and economies.
Some children opt out of mainstream education for home schooling, where parents, sometimes with tutors, educate them at home. In England, home-schooled students rose from 116,000 in 2021–22 to 126,000 in 2022–23 (Department for Education, 2024).
Concerns exist about the quality of home education and its effect on children’s social development. There’s no regulation for home schooling, as local councils do not monitor deregistered children or provide additional support.
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1. What are the main advantages of vocational education and training? | ![]() |
2. What are the disadvantages of vocational education and training? | ![]() |
3. What is alternative educational provision, and how does it differ from traditional schooling? | ![]() |
4. What are the benefits of home schooling as an alternative educational option? | ![]() |
5. What is de-schooling, and what philosophy underpins this approach? | ![]() |