I?ll risk piddleing of loads of people and say, for anything other than vocational work, then well advised to steer clear, especially as H/E?d where they?re going to meet enough assumptions in the future.
Why would someone think a Foundation Diploma better? Well they may be listening to Connnexions, or it may be their LEA is offering them free ?exams? this way, part time flexi schooling in college etc. You?d need to listen to the parents as to why they?re buying into it. They may not know who else to ask. Most parents at old school just accepted it as better, because we where told we didn't have a choice.
My opinion?s based on responses I got when school insisted diploma?s, certificates of personal competency etc, were the great new thing and Oxford candidates would all be rocking up there in a couple of years time getting in with their advanced diplomas, as A levels wouldn?t exist by then.
I thought we might be being sold a pup and got on the phone and asked them and others.
It was very interesting to find out different uni admin?s less official prejudices, preferences, and views (including on H/E kids) but it came down to good solid qualifications, in good old fashioned subjects, some level of social skills, and the ability to interview well, was the safest bet to be able to cut it, from Russell Group (who I didn?t even know about then!) to ex poly?s, and going for the harder IGCSE exams opens harder doors.
It may not be how it?s meant to be, but for anyone in a position where they can?t really afford to get it wrong then that?s the safe bet.
I take the attitude that what?s good enough for the people with choices, is likely to be good enough for my kids too, it seems to work well enough. :)