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

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEAR406. GCSEs in vocational subjects are being developed throughout the pathfinder e.g. atone school in Travel & Tourism and Engineering. This school is a specialist technologycollege and is offering three single sciences at GCSE together with engineering. Thisprovision is intended to increase employability. In addition, in 2004/05 fifteen year 10students will take part in the NHSU junior scholarships scheme. This will involve acommitment of one day a week over two years.407. A further strand of the employability agenda within the pathfinder has been increasedemphasis on e-learning. The LEA is working through a consultant to establish a sustainablebroadband network for Norfolk schools. This should be established by September 2004. Thepathfinder schools will have access to the facilities of Norfolk Campus VLE. Subjectteachers will have access to ICT tools including interactive whiteboards, PC tablets andlaptops, and a video and lesson library. E-learning will enable students to make distancecontact with partner colleges and with industry and employers through video-conferencingand other collaborative tools. Community access will also support internet use by students athome and in libraries and should also link to school administrative systems.408. A rural training centre is being established at one school. This will have good ICTequipment and CAD/CAM software. The centre was formally opened in June 2004 withvideo conferencing between two schools and a college. As in other rural pathfinders there issupport for the development of local skills centres of this type which will provide localprovision and cut down on expensive and time consuming travel to colleges.409. As indicated above the raising of aspirations is a further central objective of thepathfinder.410. A key aspect of raising aspirations has been the strengthening of pupil support,guidance and personal development. In common with the service in many other areasConnexions has undergone some restructuring but has been able to offer significant supportto the pathfinder through the appointment of a dedicated Connexions Personal Adviser toprovide enhanced information, advice and guidance. It is anticipated that this person willlead the development of ILPs and arrangements have been made to explore developments in123