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	Collaboration to widen post-16 participation

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Collaboration to widen post-16 participation


		11-16 schools

		6th form schools

		Colleges

In partnership with the local FE college, a small 11-16 school set out to improve post-16 participation by providing new opportunities and aspirations for students and by creating effective transition arrangements to the college. The post-16 participation rate improved from 28 per cent to 78 per cent in three years.

Progression opportunities and experiences are provided by approaches including those below:

College students work within the school to raise the aspirations of school students and give them experience of working with older students who may become role models. They organise joint drama productions and assist with reading and business studies assignments. The college course in horticulture uses the school as a base.

in year 9 students experience a day in the college’s art department as the culmination of a 3-D project
in year 10 each school student spends three half-days using the college’s ICT facilities, receiving training in use of the internet and a ‘licence’ to use the facilities. Documentation and systems are harmonised. All students study the key skills IT unit at school, aiming for level 2, and can either complete it or progress to the next level when they transfer to the college
a jointly staffed course leading to GNVQ construction and the built environment is offered to students from both institutions
a joint Junior Sports Leaders Award is organised for students from years 10, 11 and 12
at the end of year 10 there is a jointly staffed English summer school to catch up on coursework. This is estimated to result in a one-grade improvement for those students who maintain the standard they achieve during that week
during year 11 school students have the opportunity to participate in a range of taster courses at the college
during the second term of year 11, students expected to attain GCSE grades D and above are individually invited to take part in an after-school study programme in the core subjects, run at the college by A level teachers
students doing fewer GCSE subjects than their peers enhance those subjects by participating in related college courses
a Careers Theme Week involving employers is organised on the two sites for year 11 students
at the end of year 11, students who achieve the targets set by school and college staff receive a Certificate of Merit.

Students know that if their school attendance is above average and they have made a genuine effort to meet their targets, they are guaranteed entrance to a college course at the appropriate level. Year 11 attendance has improved in consequence. To support the concept of 14-19 education and the transition process, college staff take part in target-setting interviews during key stage 4 and a member of the school staff works in the college for one session per week, tracking progress and attendance and providing support to students.

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