Taking a Technical Award is associated with pupils having lower absence rates and lower exclusion rates when compared to similar pupils who do not take a Technical Award.

This is one of the main findings from recent DfE analysis into non-GCSE qualifications at Key Stage 4. The report provides an overview of pupil entries into non-GCSE qualifications, and associated pupil absence and exclusions.

The research focuses primarily on Technical Awards – approved Level 1 and 2 non-GCSE qualifications including OCR’s Cambridge Nationals, that provide 14-16 year-olds with applied knowledge and practical skills.

The analysis has fed into the current review of post-16 qualifications at Level 3 and below, with the DfE stating that it does not believe there is a strong case for change at this stage for pre-16 Technical Awards.

In terms of entries:

• The proportion of Technical Award entries has decreased year on year since 2015, and in 2018 accounted for 5% of entries.
• Looking at pupils in all schools and colleges in 2018, 35% of pupils took at least one Technical Award.
• Disadvantaged pupils, pupils with low prior attainment at Key Stage 2 and boys are over-represented in terms of entries to Technical Awards qualifications not included in performance tables.