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Written question asked by Lord Isaac (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 9 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Arts: Foundation Courses

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (FAD) as a pathway (1) into creative higher education, and (2) meeting the skills needs of the creative industries; and what assessment they have made of the impact of not exempting the FAD from level 3 qualification reforms.

Answer

The department intends to develop V Levels in the creative sectors for first-teach in 2030/31. We will carefully balance the introduction of new qualifications with removal of funding approval from unreformed qualifications to avoid gaps in provision.

Following the expected completion of our post-16 pathways qualification reforms by September 2030, students will have a clear choice between A Levels, V Levels and T Levels at level 3. The equalities impact assessment published alongside the government response to the Post-16 Level 3 and below pathways consultation sets out our analysis of impacts split by protected characteristics and anticipates positive impacts for students from clearer choices and progression routes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1350
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Arts Foundation courses
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk