Collaborative Approaches to 14-19 Provision - Communities and ...

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEAR387. In 2003 three of the schools 5 A*-C GCSE scores were below the LEA average andhave been tending to decline over the previous three years. Thus the West Norfolk area wasproposed for pathfinder funding because this was an area of the LEA in which achievement,participation and aspirations particularly needed raising.The pathfinder focus388. In its pathfinder proposal Norfolk did not refer to any of the radical options outlinedin the pathfinder prospectus. The overall aim was: To increase the levels of educationalachievement 14-19, to increase levels of participation in learning post-16, and to increaseprogression into sustainable employment with training. The key objective was: To increaseemployer involvement in learning and it was this which was emphasised in the proposaland the subsequent progress reports. This was to be realised through three ‘radical options’ –Co-working with employers; Increase employability skills; Improve the aspirations oflearners to stay on in learning.389. It was anticipated that formal partnerships between schools, colleges and localemployers would be established and a menu of possible activities was outlined. This processwas to be supported through a programme of staff development for teachers, employers andConnexions staff.390. Employers would help to determine employability skills which would be built into thecurriculum. The range of possible developments included taster programmes for year 9students, the establishment of GCSEs in vocational subjects and the provision of quality workexperience placements.391. A series of activities including enhanced advice and guidance, mentoringprogrammes, master classes and student apprenticeships were to be developed to raiseaspirations and promote progression to further learning.392. Overall, the pathfinder aimed to increase employer engagement and through thispromote curriculum change and student support in ways which would help to raiseachievement, promote progression and lift aspirations.119