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

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEAR532. This increased focus on vocational learning 14-16 is reflected at 16-19 inincreased emphasis on work-based learning and other vocational provision. In line withthe findings of the AWI the college has worked hard to increase level one and twoprovision and has developed a large E2E programme. The Pathfinder has produced anattractive directory of post-16 courses and progression routes which gives equalprominence to the work-based and full-time education routes.533. A further major planned development is the introduction of some year 12provision in four 11-16 schools. This is intended to tackle the low rates of participationpost-16 by 16 and 17 year olds. It is based on the assumption that some students areuncomfortable about making the transition to college or training providers at 16. Thusthe intention is to provide a one-year course in school, which as well as improving basicand vocational skills, will also aim to ease progression to the next stage at age 17. Fourschools have been identified to take part in this scheme and it is anticipated that each willrecruit about twenty-five students. At the time of our visit the curriculum for this groupwas still being planned but it is likely to focus on level one provision and thus help toaddress the objective of providing more level 1 and 2 provision within Southwark whichwas identified by the AWI.Key issues from the Pathfinder534. The multiplicity of kinds of institutions involved in 14-19 education andtraining raised important issues for strategic leadership of 14-19 developments. Thisissue was heightened by the presence of several institutions funded directly from theDfES. Some of these were newly founded and were understandably keen to make apositive impact by, for example, establishing broad-based sixth forms with someemphasis on level 3 courses. However, these and other developments left Pathfinderparticipants uncertain as to how these institutional imperatives would relate to thecollaborative structures and cultures developed around the Southwark Guarantee.535. The local LSC has played a key leadership role in this Pathfinder and hashelped to drive forward collaboration in a very institutionally complex setting. However,it is uncertain how long the LSC will be able and/or willing to continue to take such a156