The 14-19 Reforms will have a big impact on the way secondary schools work and it is very important that governors are aware of changes and engaged in the process. You will probably have heard of the 2 major reforms, the 14-19 Entitlement and the Raising of the Participation Age (RPA).
The entitlement will mean that Learning for young people will lead to qualifications from one of four routes: Apprenticeships – with an entitlement to a place by 2013 for all 16 year olds suitably qualified, Foundation Learning – with some delivery on a 14-19 basis in all local areas from 2010 and increasing provision from 2010 to align with the 2013 Diploma entitlement and RPA target, General Qualifications, e.g. GCSEs and A levels, Diplomas – with an entitlement by 2013 for all 14–16 year olds to the first 14 Diplomas and for 16–18 years to all 17 Diplomas. Your school is already working towards the entitlement through its 14-19 Collaboration.
The RPA means that 2013 all young people in England will be required to continue in education or training to 17. In 2015 they will continue in education or training to 18. This means the young people currently in Year 8 will continue in education or training to 17, and the current Year 7 (who started secondary school in September 2009) will continue until they are 18. Please note this change does not necessarily mean staying in school. For more information about the 2013 entitlement or the RPA please see the DCSF site http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/1419/index.cfm?go=site.home&sid=42&pid=532&ctype=None&ptype=Contents
A vital part of the success of the changes is that governing bodies will need to ensure that all students have access to impartial Information, Advice and Guidance.
In Norfolk we have the 14-19 Strategy Group which agrees the 14-19 Education Plan and is working to ensure through the Plan that the 2013 Entitlement is met The group is made up of representatives from organisations that provide services for young people including: schools and colleges, UEA, Learning and Skills Council, Connexions, Adult Education, Children’s Services, Aimhigher and the Chamber of Commerce. There is also a Learner Representative and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services. Recently NGN was invited to have a representative. As you can see it is a large group chaired by the Director of Children’s Services. The Strategy Group is rather like a governing body to the 14-19 Director, Gordon Boyd.
You can find out much more about the work of the Strategy Group and 14-19 issues on the Norfolk 14-19 website http://schools.norfolk.gov.uk/page_40.cfm and the half termly newsletter - 14-19 Matters which can be found through the same link.