Tameside's 14-19 Vision

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Foreward

Nationally the learning and skills agenda has never been more important than it is today. The Learning and Skills Council’s national agenda for change outlines ways in which further education can better meet the needs of employers, individuals and communities in England. Important changes lie ahead for us all. We now have a real chance to make a difference to the education, training and futures of young people.

The Learning and Skills Council, Greater Manchester and Tameside Services for Children and Young People have developed a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of learning provision. This is based on a review of provision in the area, which took place in 2005.

As chief officers of the leading partners with responsibility for the strategic overview of 14-19 learner provision, we endorse this document. Our aim is to help each young person identify their learning needs and then to provide them with the most appropriate opportunities for them to achieve their potential.

Learning pathways, and the means of achieving progression through them, should be clear and equally understood. We will give equal status to different learning routes and will strive for such recognition within our communities.

It is crucial that each provider of 14-19 learning opportunities keeps learners at the heart of what is planned and delivered.

Our vision is of a young adult community in every part of Tameside that has the knowledge and productive skills to match the best in the world, a desire to make a full contribution to our society and a commitment to continued learning throughout life.

This can only be achieved through genuine collaborative working at both strategic and operational levels by all partners in the 14-19 arena. We are committed to leading this process in the formulation of this joint strategy for 14-19 learning in Tameside.

Ian Smith, Executive Director Services for Children and Young People Tameside Local Authority

Chris Cherry, Director of Skills, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester

Tameside's 14-19 Vision

"The individual learner as an excited, eager discoverer is our future"

We will establish a culture of:

• Aspiration
• Achievement
• Collaboration
• Community
• Opportunity and choice

So that Tameside becomes an excellent learning community and attracts world class business.

“Achievement through learning gives us choices”

A Vision of Opportunity

The individual learner as an excited, eager discoverer is our future. Our 14-19 Strategy will enable generations of young people to choose learning pathways which will lead to valued, life-developing opportunities. Pathways will be clear to learners, parents, teachers, and the community. Programmes of learning will be coherent and methods of learning will be interesting and learner focused.

Central to our strategy is the option of choosing a vocational path, an academic path or a pathway combining vocational and academic elements. Equally important is the option of crossing from one pathway to another when a change of direction is required.

The pathways will shape learning into vocational, academic or training opportunities, or a mixture of these three. Moving along the chosen 14-19 pathway, a learner will be able either to concentrate on their chosen mode of learning or to switch to another mode at an appropriate point.

Our courses will be delivered to the highest standard so that excellence of provision will stimulate excellent achievement and excellent opportunities for career and life-development. Citizenship, careers education and guidance, and social awareness will be part of the learning. As generations of young people benefit from this strategy so also will our Tameside community and the wider world. This is an investment in our future as well as in the future of young individuals.

Employers and businesses have a central role to play in supporting this strategy. They are part of our Economic Learning Partnership. As learning organisations they are involved continually in change and development. As employers they are providers of support and training in the work place. Their ability to provide skilled, well paid and rewarding employment is part of the way by which young people will see their pathway leading to successful employment in their home area. Through demonstrating an understanding of, and support for, our strategy they will strengthen the credibility of the learning pathways. Through investing in the education and training of young people and older employees they will enhance their existing commitment to Tameside and the surrounding area.

Tameside Local Authority together with the Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester, will provide a lead in collaborative developments between schools, colleges, employers, training providers and Connexions. The council is committed to excellence in learning. Our 14-19 Strategy speaks clearly to the community about our determination to invest richly in our young people who are central to the successful future development of Tameside.

Tameside Local Authority and the Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester Learner Entitlement

We expect that every young person aged 14 -19 within Tameside will be entitled to a learning environment that is based on the following principles:

• Impartial advice and guidance at the right time to enable key decisions to be made.
• High quality, accurate and comprehensive information on the choices available at a time and in a format that is appropriate.
• A choice of learning options (including e-learning) that challenge, motivate and stimulate learning at all levels, from pre-entry to level 3 (and above), with support to overcome any barriers.
• A broader curriculum with core and additional elements that enriches experience and fully prepares them for continued learning, the world of work and active citizenship.
• Flexible provision, which combines vocational, occupational and work related learning, caters for individual’s needs and reflects employers’ needs.
• Involvement in the learning process through consultation on improvements and developments in provision.
• High quality teaching, training and support staff who are skilled, experienced and able to respond to new ways of learning.
• High quality assessment and feedback.
• New and innovative progression routes that enable easier and wider access to further learning particularly higher education.
• Equality of opportunity to access appropriate learning, progress at a pace suited to their needs and take appropriate qualifications at the right time.
• Support throughout the learning process so that all individuals achieve their full potential.
• A clear statement of and agreement to the responsibilities of the provider and learner before learning commences.
• A learning environment that is safe and healthy.
• The opportunity for spiritual and moral reflection and growth appropriate to their religious and cultural beliefs.

In response to the Learner Entitlement young learners in Tameside say that their responsibilities are to:

• Respect people who help learners and respect the buildings.
• Co-operate fully with the rules set by institutions.
• Use carefully advice that is given.
• Appreciate teachers’ and tutors’ work.
• Be willing to work in a team.
• Have a commitment to learning.

Tameside’s 14-19 Strategy

The Tameside Strategy supports the Vision and Entitlement statements. The key areas for development given below are informed by the principles in national and local documents and are drawn from the strategic aims or objectives in the plans of the Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester, Tameside Local Authority, Connexions Tameside and also link to the Learning and Skills Council’s vision and strategy for 14-19 provision.

Four key areas of strategic development form the core of the strategy.

Developmnet Area 1

Development of collaborative partnerships, leadership and management to implement a coherent 14-19 strategy that improves provision and achieves excellence in 14-19 education and training.

This means: We will improve provision by working together.

• One group, the 14-19 Strategy Group, will make sure everyone knows what is to be done.
• There will be collaboration between all the bodies involved in education and training.
• Tameside will plan in order to provide world class education and training.  Everyone involved will accept their responsibilities for 14-19 improvements.
• Senior figures will direct the strategy.
• Collaboration will be developed between institutions.
• Excellent learning and teaching will be developed by school and college leaders.
• All learners, of all levels of ability will be able to develop their potential.
• Senior leaders and managers will monitor learners’ progress and will check that all learners are able to develop their potential.
• Training sessions will update staff on careers for young learners.
• Connexions advisers will be well informed about school and college life.

Development Area 2

Raising of attainment at each developmental stage between the ages of 14-19 through excellent provision of pathways and qualifications that meet individual and community needs.

This means: Standards will rise because of excellent provision that meets learners’ needs.

• Targets will be agreed and monitored.
• Ways will be agreed of measuring learners’ progress from ages 14-19.
• The right courses will be provided for young people and we will set targets to improve what we offer.
• Training will be provided to improve teaching and learning skills.
• Learners will be assessed when they have reached the right stage.
• More vocational courses will be provided.

 Development Area 3

Raising and meeting the aspirations of young people, of their carers and teachers through the development of impartial, skilled guidance and support to enable young people to progress and succeed.

This means: Being ambitious will lead to success through guidance and support.

• Learners will be entitled to the right course for them.
• Being praised for their success will encourage learners to learn more after 16.
• Learners will be guided in making career decisions.
• Connexions services will be available to all learners.
• Parents and guardians will be offered guidance to help their children.
• Learners will learn more about employment.
• Learners will become more aware of learning and training opportunities beyond age 19.
• Personal targets will encourage learners to succeed at ages 14-16 and 16-19.
• Learners will be given unbiased guidance.
• Learners and staff will receive effective induction processes.

Development Area 4

Delivery of a broad range of skills to young people so that they can access a range of employment opportunities.

This means: We will help learners to develop skills for employment and adult life.

• Learners will develop skills for adult life and employment.
• Skills in functional English and functional Maths will be developed.
• Local skills needs will be considered.