Case study
Local authorities:
Where there’s a will…
Despite being one of the more rural authorities in the country, North Somerset is now delivering eight lines of
learning. Dorothy Lepkowska f_i nds out how they have done it
HE OLD adage “where there’s a Our schools have a history of being based in “None of our schools really has the facilities
T
will, there’s a way” could not be their communities and do not really compete for Diplomas, such as Construction and the
more pertinent when it comes with each other for pupils. It is far more of a Built Environment, and Hair and Beauty, so
to Diploma delivery in North supportive relationship than competitive. So these will have to be taught at Weston College
Somerset. there is a culture that if you live in Portishead, in Weston-super-Mare.”
T_h e local authority is the 40th most rural in you go to a school in Portishead.” T_h e authority also has to cap the numbers
the country, with all the diffi culties that brings. Nevertheless, from this September, of pupils taking the Construction and Built
“T_h e biggest challenge for the authority is eight lines of learning in Diplomas will be Environment Diploma for 2008 and may
the capital facilities,” said Marie Horton, the available and more than 650 students will need to do this for a few other Diploma lines
14 to 19 North Somerset partnership manager. be taking courses. Until now, only two in the future.
“Few of our schools have high quality, applied
learning facilities yet.
“With our new BSF (Building Schools for
the Future) school opening in September,
ongoing developments at Weston College,
and 14 to 19 capital monies, the issues are
starting to be addressed.
“Another diffi culty is capacity – 14 to 19 is
a large agenda and ideally we need additional
‘
The Diplomas have been going brilliantly, but
because of the challenges we have developed
our own version of them
Diplomas have been available, in Creative
capacity to work on its many facets,” Ms and Media and IT. T_h is term, they will
Horton added. Yet, the 10 secondary schools be joined by Construction and the Built
and Weston College in the Partnership Environment, Engineering, Society, Health
have embraced Diplomas and the new and Development, Hair and Beauty, and
qualifi cations have become an integral part of Hospitality.
14 to 19 provision locally. “T_h e Diplomas have been going brilliant
’
“As we move towards 2013 and this off er
being statutory, we may need to explore
contracting provision from neighbouring
authorities to meet our obligations and live in
hope that, over time, we will get funding to
provide the range of capital facilities we need,
ly, to meet learner demand,” Ms Horton said.
T_h e North Somerset partnership is but because of the challenges we have Despite the challenges faced by North
committed to the 14 to 19 agenda and has developed our own version of them,” Ms Somerset, pupils and teachers’ experiences of
recently held two Department for Children, Horton said. Diplomas have been positive.
Schools and Families (DCSF) Learning Visits “We have both in-house and shared delivery “T_h e 14 to 19 agenda has off ered some
showcasing partnership work, employer and our model is that we are aiming to have wonderful learning opportunities for our
engagement, and the delivery of the Level 3 three to fi ve Diplomas in every school and all students,” Ms Horton added. “Diplomas have
Creative and Media Diploma. It is planning Diploma lines on off er at Weston College so proved to be inspirational and motivational
to off er more DCSF Learning Visits in the that there is an even broader applied learning both for teachers and learners, who are
next academic year, sharing its peer-to-peer off er in the partnership which builds on positive and engaged.
support approach. existing good practice. “T_h ere is some excellent Diploma learning
Unlike in most consortia, however, North “We have been very fortunate to work with going on and our schools are making the best
Somerset schools teach the majority of some very committed employers in our fi rst of the facilities they have.
Diplomas in-house initially because this is Diploma lines and are looking forward to “T_h e students who have opted for Diplomas
helping to secure high quality delivery. even more exciting engagement with our six are inspiring, and could be the young people
Ms Horton said: “North Somerset has a new lines in 2009. Employers in all sectors who perhaps have been dissatisfi ed with what
very variable public transport system and the – private, public and voluntary – have given was on off er for them before. I believe this
M5 motorway is like the spine of the county. generously to our Diploma learners and have is one of the reasons why we have seen some
“Our schools are not a huge distance from consistently been impressed both with the exceptional engagement. T_h ey can see that
each other, but journeys can take a long time. learners and their softer skills. something diff erent is happening for them.” DD
Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009 53
53 somerset.indd 13 18/9/09 11:23:13
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