NINE new diploma courses start at Derby schools from September – more than anywhere else in the country.

Diplomas, aimed at 14-19-year-olds and combining skills, knowledge and work experience at three age and ability levels, were piloted in 2008.

Engineering diplomas are already offered by Derby College and Sinfin Community School.

Now, diplomas in construction, creative and media, information technology, business administration and finance, environmental and land-based studies, hair and beauty studies, hospitality, society, health and development and public services are set to follow.

City council school improvement adviser Simon Mosley said: "Derby has more new diplomas starting this year than any other local authority in the country. We have been running roadshows and more than 500 young people attended to find out about the new courses.

"Every household in Derby is due to receive a Diplomas In Derby booklet in the next few weeks so that more people become aware of diplomas as an alternative to other vocational and academic qualifications such as BTEC and GCSE."

Ofsted inspector Jan Bennett, who observed Derby's initial diploma programme, noted that the city had started slowly in offering diplomas.

She said: "With one diploma in two centres it has not been possible to make separate judgements about different aspects of diploma development and delivery.

"But there is a clear vision for the implementation of the 14-19 reforms by 2012 supported by well-staged plans.

"In allocating delivery centres, vocational expertise and resources, including schools' specialisms, the diplomas have been balanced carefully to give a good geographical spread."

Schools taking the lead in organising the diplomas are da Vinci Community, for hospitality; Derby Moor Community Sports College and Noel-Baker Community School, for society, health and development; Murray Park School for information technology and St Benedict Catholic School for creative and media.

Derby College offers all the diplomas, which can be taken alongside GCSEs and A-levels.

All secondary schools, except Littleover Community School and Landau Forte College, are running the diplomas.

Engineering has been available at Sinfin Community School for two years. Five students, plus 16 at Derby College, will complete it this year.

Sinfin head teacher Steve Monks said: "We have another six pupils working at level one and a further 14 at level two.

"A key feature of the course is the 10 days' work experience which Rolls-Royce has guaranteed as part of its partnership with us in this."

Kieran Escuder, 14, said: "Engineering in Sinfin Community School is a very positive contribution to the school."

Fellow pupil Lauren Telfer, also 14, said: "It's more fun and practical, which makes it easier to learn."

Another pupil 14-year-old Michael Kendrick added: "Engineering is pretty cool. We do a lot of practical things and work hard."