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

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEARschools through an on-going continuing professional development programmethrough which subject teachers are introduced to the implications for their subjects. In2003/4 the focus was on science education and a series of seminars had been held at alocal university on science-based occupations in sport, catering, tourism, leisure andwithin the general manufacturing sector. The initial aim of these seminars was to raiseawareness among science staff of the different progression routes through further andhigher education and training into these occupations with a longer-term aim of impactingon curriculum development in science. The university is making available some sciencebasedmodules for teachers who want to update their subject knowledge.529. A second series of seminars focusing on the career opportunities and skillsgaps in the NHS will be starting soon. Pathfinder leaders argued that it is important thatknowledge of progression routes is made available to subject teachers both in order toinfluence the curriculum and because these teachers can often be sources of informaladvice to students on progression routes within particular discipline-based occupations. Itwas also argued that the CPD programme is filling a gap left by the absence of LEAspecialist subject advisors.530. The Pathfinder is also notable for the substantial involvement of trainingproviders in providing broader opportunities to students at 14-16. For example, studentshave access to a prestigious catering training organisation located in a local university.Here students have experience top quality facilities and high levels of expertise. Thisprovision leads to an NVQ level 2 award. Through the Southwark Guarantee a menu ofopportunities for vocational learning has been developed involving training providers andthe local college. A staff appointment has recently been made to support this continuedimplementation and to strengthen links between the schools, college and trainingproviders as well as to broaden the curriculum offer.531. In vocational learning the Pathfinder has also supported a range of schoolbasedactivities, many built around the Asdan scheme, involving a wide range ofvocational visits, short work placements and other activities, all of which are helping toprovide a wider range of curriculum offerings for 14-16 year olds in Southwark schools.155