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

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEAR‣ variations in the pace of learning‣ effective approaches to working with a range of young people including those from ethnicminority groups, including Travellers, and the disadvantaged and disaffected‣ work with Connexions Partnerships supporting effective advice and guidance in the 14-19phase.20. Interestingly, the 2003/4 Prospectus (i.e. for Phase Two Pathfinders), stated that “wewant pathfinders in 2003/4 to test out more radical ways of providing 14-19 education andtraining than was possible in 2002/3” (p.7). A list of fourteen radical options was thenproposed, of which the three most commonly taken up were: Innovative proposals forengaging employers (10 pathfinders); Innovative approaches to designing and deliveringvocational courses (8 pathfinders); Addressing key skill shortages in specific professions (6projects). (The additional funding mechanism described above subsequently provided PhaseOne Pathfinders with opportunities to specifically address some of these radical options).21. This summary of the aims and objectives of the 14-19 Pathfinders programme givessome indication of its wide scope, although with an emphasis on the promotion of vocationallearning which reflected its centrality in the Green Paper. The clear intention of establishinga diverse group of pathfinders was in keeping with the developmental character of the 14-19reform agenda as a whole and the need to reflect and respond to local circumstances andimperatives.22. Pathfinders were required to set area and institutional targets for attainment andprogression with a focus on results and destinations at 19. Specifically these were to include:‣ increases in participation rates post-16‣ increases in the numbers achieving level 2 and 3 qualifications at age 19‣ decreases in the numbers achieving no qualifications by 19‣ reductions in truancy rates 14-16‣ reductions in drop-out rates 16-19‣ increased entry rate to higher education.7