����Vlog

More than a quarter of secondary schools in England do not offer any vocational qualifications at key stage 4, survey data reveals.

The Teacher Tapp polling, shared exclusively with ����Vlog, indicates that teachers are broadly supportive of the new technical pathways announced by prime minister Andy Burnham last week.

It also shows that existing vocational routes are more likely to be found in schools serving deprived communities.

National Pupil Database and Individualised Learner Record data shared with ����Vlog last week indicates that just over 10,000 14- to 16-year-old students studied vocational qualifications in 2024-25, falling to just under 9,000 in 2025-26.

Now a survey of just over 1,000 secondary senior leaders by Teacher Tapp suggests that 27 per cent of schools offer no vocational qualifications at KS4.

It also appears that technical pathways are more common in disadvantaged areas: 39 per cent of leaders in the least‑deprived areas reported that their school offers no vocational qualifications at KS4; in the same schools, 44 per cent said all KS4 students have vocational options.

In contrast, only 14 per cent of leaders in the most‑deprived areas reported that their school offers no vocational qualifications at KS4; in the same schools, 70 per cent said that all KS4 students have vocational options.

While many questions about the new technical education pathways remain unanswered a week on from the prime minister’s late-night announcement, survey data from more than 7,000 teachers (primary and secondary combined) polled by Teacher Tapp indicates that the idea was generally well received.

Just 10 per cent of teachers reported “very” or “somewhat” negative feelings about the government plan, while 67 per cent said they were “very” or “somewhat” positive.

Teachers were more positive about the plan than senior leaders: 44 per cent of SLT members were neutral or felt negatively, compared with 37 per cent of teachers.

‘Serious concerns’ over demand on school leaders

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told ����Vlog that the availability of vocational qualifications would be driven by the availability of relevant expertise and resources in schools.

He said “a lot of work” was needed to improve staff training and links between employers and schools but emphasised this was not “insurmountable”.

Mr Di’Iasio added: “We applaud the ambition of boosting technical education, but we do have serious concerns about the additional demands being placed on school leaders - particularly with no new investment being announced alongside this policy.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “It is positive to see that the majority of teachers welcome our reforms - and already offer vocational qualifications, particularly in disadvantaged areas - to help to break down barriers to opportunity.

“Our reforms will ensure every young person, wherever they live, is given the opportunity to explore their options and choose the path that’s right for them.”

They added: “We’re putting technical and academic education on an equal footing by providing more prestigious vocational routes from aged 14 and introducing V levels and new L2 occupational pathways from aged 16.

“We are working closely with schools and colleges to deliver these ambitions to ensure they have the greatest impact for young people and employers.”