Response to the Proposed Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure Consultation - July 2008.

Ceredigion 14 - 19 Learning Pathways Network

1. Is there a need for legislation to re-organize 14-19 provision?

Several years have gone by since the process of re-organising 14 - 19 education in schools and other educational institutions began. Changes took place slowly in many fields. In many cases, the reorganisation process was hindered since it was believed by some that Learning Pathways 14 - 19 would be an "interim project”; a project that would disappear with any political changes. The steps outlined in the Measure give status and consistency to the reorganisation and ensure that everyone is moving in the same direction. Therefore, legislation is needed to ensure that the reorganisation of 14 - 19 provision in Wales is a success.

2. Does the proposed Measure achieve the policy objective or could changes be made without legislating?

The steps outlined in the Measure ensure that more choice is available to our learners at the beginning of Key Stage 4 and during post-16 education. Heads of institutions are given the responsibility of considering the course of every learner’s education (Learning Pathway); this implies a wider choice for the majority and prevents others from making unwise choices and damaging rather enhancing their educational development/training. The number of courses that must be offered to learners is ambitious and therefore co-operation and joint working between institutions is needed. Many institutions do not always view co-operation/joint working in a positive light and question the effectiveness of co-operation/joint working of this kind. A lack of confidence in partners is often the main problem. This legislation strengthens the argument for joint working; indeed, it insists that co-operation/joint working takes place.

3. What are the views of stakeholders who will have to work with the new arrangements?

Stakeholders generally consider these changes to be very valuable, particularly learners. This is an opportunity to expand the curriculum, to ensure that suitable courses are available to learners and to bring 14 - 19 course providers closer together to benefit the learner. Parents are often concerned by the status/value of vocational courses, particularly those for "able” learners. It will be necessary to work hard to ensure that the new provision has equal status. Some educationalists are concerned about attainment standards. In areas / institutions where some learners reach high levels of achievement at present, there will be some concern about the possibility of lowering standards. It must be emphasised that the aim of 14 - 19 is to raise the attainment level of an increasing number of learners. Governors will undoubtedly raise the issue of managing provision when the local curricula are set by the LEA (14-16) or the Assembly Ministers (Post-16).

4. What might be the barriers to delivering the policy agenda and does the proposed Measure take account of them?

i) The provision of vocational courses undoubtedly adds to curriculum costs at a time when the school budget often falls due to a reduction in the number of learners in the area. This is NOT taken into consideration in the Measure.

ii) Joint working is often difficult due to the county’s geographical layout. The proposed Measure considers this issue by allowing local consortia for curricula within the county. This is to be welcomed.

iii) Welsh language provision must be ensured on courses of all kinds. The whole range of courses must be available through the medium of Welsh and Welsh-medium assessment/examinations must be made available. The proposed Measure must consider this important issue. It should not leave examinations in the hands of commercial companies.

iv) Partners/providers do not have sufficient confidence in the quality of provision in other institutions. The Networks are expected to guarantee high quality provision in every establishment by implementing a quality assurance framework; there is no specific reference to quality assurance in the proposed Measure.

Changes to the Measure following the initial consultation.

i) Head teacher’s or principal’s decision as to entitlement

These changes are to be welcomed. Heads will be in a far more robust position since rights are outlined in the proposed Measure.

ii) Formation of the Local Curriculum for pupils in key stage 4/ students aged 16-18.

The recognition of the fact that more than one "Local Curriculum” is needed in some counties is a very positive step.

iii) Pupils’ choices within the Local Curriculum

The system of awarding a point score to courses is helpful when setting a curriculum; unfortunately, the points’ value, as proposed, is NOT always in line with the amount of time that must be allocated for the course nor the amount of work that the learner is expected to carry out e.g. the value of a Level 2 NVQ course. There must be flexibility in terms of how many courses able and talented learners can undertake; clarification is needed on the "maximum” of ten GCSE subjects.

iv) Delivery of Local Curriculum entitlements: joint working

The change that ensures that collaboration and cooperation take place is to be welcomed. It is essential that best possible use is made of resources available to all learners within each Network.

v) Identification of Local Curriculum for the learner

It is important that every learner is associated with one specific institution and thus with one Local Curriculum. It is important that each learner should be the responsibility of a single institution e.g. in providing personal support, a learning coach, exam entry and costs etc.

vi) Special schools

We agree with the decision that learners in special schools should not be obliged to participate in the Local Curriculum but ideally as many of these learners as possible would be given the opportunity to join in / participate in Local Curriculum activities where possible. Evidently, vocational activities in particular enhance the experience of learners in special schools.

vii) Suspending the Local Curriculum

It should not be possible to suspend the Local Curriculum once it has been set up.