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Weston federation of schools


		11-16 schools

		6th form schools

		Colleges

About the case study

This case study illustrates how work-related learning can be provided at key stage 4. It shows how work-related learning is being developed across a partnership of six schools. The individual student examples are illustrative and based on students following different programmes at the schools.

The schools

The Weston family of schools is a partnership of six schools, due to become a federation in January 2004, with Weston College and North Somerset Local Education Authority. The four 11-16 schools in the partnership are Worle School (a specialist media arts college), Wyvern School (a specialist sports college), Priory School (a specialist technology college) and Broadoak School. There are two special schools in the partnership: Westhaven School and Baytree School. The partnership has achieved:

the setting up of a joint governors group
the setting up of staff groups to explore curriculum, marketing and staff development
a survey of work-related learning across all schools
a coordinated link course for around 160 14 to 16-year-olds at Weston College
a gifted and talented pilot project with a focus on media studies
a horticulture skills project at one of the schools, now being developed across the partnership.

The partnership's submission to the DfES for federation status included work-related learning provision as a key aspect. The partnership is seeking to develop work-related learning in the following ways:

development of skills-based and work-related learning days through timetable suspension
development of work-related learning at key stage 3 with representatives from business visiting years 7 and 8
development of a work-related learning policy across the group of schools
development of vocational provision on school sites
development of links with training providers
relating the skills aspect of school subjects to the world of work.

Student examples

Patrick’s work-related learning is acquired through an ASDAN youth award, a motor vehicle course delivered in conjunction with a private training provider, and conservation activities delivered by British Conservation Trust volunteers.

Patrick has a learning support mentor with whom he works on a literacy programme. In addition to core subjects, Patrick’s programme consists of ASDAN’s youth award scheme (including a module on the world of work), key skills and a ‘green gym’ project (conservation activities delivered by the British Conservation Trust volunteers). He is also involved in a school garage (motor vehicle) project.

Patrick particularly enjoys the ‘green gym’ project and has been able to increase his experience in this field by completing a community service placement with the groundsman at the school. This experience has been discussed and accredited through the ASDAN youth award scheme. His interest in the school garage project was complemented this year by six half-day sessions on a motor vehicle course run by Wessex Vocational Training. Patrick has also benefited from priority access to a Connexions adviser, who took him through a career interview and discussed career opportunities.

Surinder’s work-related learning is acquired through her GCSE subjects and her involvement in an education and business project.

Surinder took part in a work-related project organised between the Weston group of schools and a leading retailer. She had an intensive period of retail training and experience for one day a week over 10 weeks. She received training in health and safety and customer care and worked on the shop floor. The project gave her an opportunity to become aware of the job market in that sector and in her region. She kept a detailed log of the work she covered and was assessed on a folder of work and by making a presentation to retail staff and a group of teachers.

She has attended taster sessions at the local further education college and has discussed progression possibilities and careers with a Connexions adviser. Surinder works in a local shop on a Saturday and is interested in retail management training in the future.

Kerry’s work-related learning is acquired through her GCSE subjects, work experience and participation in the ASDAN youth award scheme.

Kerry is taking the ASDAN youth award alongside her GCSE options. Working towards the youth award has allowed her to gain an understanding of the world of work and to develop awareness of employment opportunities.

She achieved the ASDAN bronze award at the end of year 10 and was chosen to become a senior pupil, with responsibility for the induction of year 7 pupils. She took part in a training programme and used her subsequent role as an inductor and peer mentor to satisfy the community service requirements for the ASDAN silver award in year 11.

In the summer term of year 10, Kerry had two weeks of work experience with a local retailer. She has used the support available through school and Connexions to gain a better understanding of career opportunities and took part in a Connexions survey of work-related learning in the school.