You can read or download the Nottinghamshire 16-19 Participation and Attainment Plan for 2011-12 [PDF 118KB] that sets out the key priorities for collaborative action adopted by the Nottinghamshire 14-19 Partnership Board.
Why this matters
It is important for all young people to participate in, and benefit from, education and training. This will:
- provide them with greater work opportunities
- enable them to participate in society, contributing to their community and the economy
- ensure that they do not live their lives in poverty.
While full participation until age 18 is planned for 2015, in Nottinghamshire participation amongst 16-18 year olds has increased but remains 6% below the national average. Attainment at Level 2 and Level 3 by age 19 has improved but remains below national and regional levels. Our 2009-11 Children and Young People’s Plan focused on participation, especially for disadvantaged young people. Further needs analysis shows that attainment is more of an issue, so our priority now is to focus on this. This includes attainment at Key Stage 4, where attainment of GCSEs in English and mathematics at age 16 has a strong correlation with attainment of level 3 by age 19.
What we will do
Nottinghamshire County Council is a lead partner with the 14-19 Partnership Board, which includes representatives of schools, colleges and training providers. The Board’s 14-19 Strategy aims to:
- ensure that an adequate range of opportunities for learning are available to all 16-18 year olds including a planned expanding of Foundation Learning opportunities both pre- and post-16 for those young people who need opportunities at Level 1 and below. (74% of young people who are not in education, training or employment (NEET) do not have a qualification at Level 2 or above)
- work with providers and other stakeholders to promote the three key types of educational opportunity at age 16-18: further education, school sixth form, apprenticeships.
- work with the Young People's Learning Agency and other strategic partners to ensure that any poor provision is removed and quality provision commissioned.
Specific activities planned for 2011-12 are to:
- redefine the role of the 14-19 Partnership to reflect national policy developments, including work to replace the role of Aim Higher in encouraging access to higher education
- manage the closure of the Nottinghamshire Connexions Service, maintaining essential strategies to combat NEET numbers
- manage the effective allocation of young people to specialist independent colleges within budget, preparing for a full commissioning role from April 2012.
When we will do this
By March 2012, we will have completed the specific activities we have planned for 2011-12. We will then identify further specific activities to promote our aims.
How this will improve the lives of children, young people and families
Improvement in participation and attainment in learning up to age 18 will promote:
- higher employment rates for 19-24 year olds
- improved progression to higher education, with associated greater opportunities.
Indicators that we have selected to measure achievement are:
- more 16-18 year olds participating in learning and work
- more 19 year olds with level 3 or equivalent qualifications.
