Case Study: Researching the post-16 qualification landscape

Insightful Research was commissioned by a major awarding body who offer a range of qualifications to the post-16 sector. With significant reforms to vocational qualifications planned for implementation from September 2027, they needed to understand how the sector is preparing, what challenges providers face, and how they can best support education settings through the transition.

We conducted qualitative research with senior leaders across the post-16 sector, exploring current decision-making, attitudes towards reform, and the practical challenges of navigating a period of considerable uncertainty.

Our Approach

We designed a qualitative study comprising 18 in-depth interviews with senior leaders directly responsible for curriculum planning and strategic direction in their institutions. Our sample was carefully constructed to include balanced representation from school sixth forms, sixth form colleges, and FE colleges, ensuring the client received a comprehensive view of the entire post-16 landscape rather than just the settings they engage with most frequently.

Recruitment was conducted through Insightful Research's established panel of education professionals. This enabled us to move quickly and efficiently, securing participants at the right level of seniority and across the full range of institution types without the significant delays typically associated with recruiting senior education leaders. Our long-standing relationships within the sector meant that participants were engaged, candid, and willing to share detailed insights about their strategic thinking.

Our understanding of the education landscape meant we could design a discussion guide that addressed the right issues at an appropriate level of complexity, allowing for detailed and nuanced conversations about both immediate operational challenges and longer-term strategic questions. We were able to draw out meaningful distinctions between the three different types of institution, as well as identifying the common challenges that cut across the whole sector.

We delivered a comprehensive report that synthesised findings clearly and accessibly. The report covered the current state of decision-making, challenges and frustrations with the pace and nature of reform, likely direction of travel as new qualifications become available, concerns about implementation timelines, and what providers are looking for from awarding bodies during this period. Throughout, we drew out both the commonalities and the important distinctions between different settings, providing our client with an understanding of where a single approach will work and where more tailored support may be needed.

The Outcome

Our research gave our client a clear and detailed picture of how the post-16 sector is responding to a period of significant uncertainty and change. We were able to provide particular insight into institution types that they may not regularly engage with in depth, giving them a more complete and nuanced understanding of the landscape in which their qualifications operate. The findings have provided the client with a robust evidence base to inform their strategic planning, product development, and provider support during a critical period of transition for the sector.