Reorganising Post 16 Education and Training in Merthyr Tydfil

MERTHYR TYDFIL COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AN Main Tel: 01685 725000 www.merthyr.gov.uk FULL COUNCIL REPORT Date Written 15 April 2010 Report Author Chris Abbott Service Area Chris Abbott Exempt/Non Exempt Non Exempt Committee Date 28 th April 2010 To: Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen Reorganising Post 16 Education and Training in Merthyr Tydfil PURPOSE OF REPORT: To inform Council about the outcomes of public consultation on proposals to reorganise post-16 education and training in Merthyr Tydfil and to recommend the publication of statutory proposals to alter the upper age limit of the four secondary schools in the County Borough so that the schools cease to make sixth form provision. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Proposals to reorganise post-16 education and training in Merthyr Tydfil have been conceived in response to critical demographic and regeneration imperatives. The proposals, developed by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in partnership with the University of Glamorgan, are aimed at widening the range of learning and training options available to young people, reducing unnecessary duplication of provision and improving the knowledge and skills base of the community. Increasing attainment and enhancing the life chances of all our young people are key priorities. 1.2 In line with Council’s previous decision to support the Critical Path and following submission of an Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Department for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning (DCELL), Council resolved on 4 January 2010 to give permission to Officers to engage in public consultation on a proposal to alter the upper age limit of secondary schools in the County Borough so that the schools cease to make sixth form provision. Subsequently, acting on written guidance and advice from the Welsh Assembly Government and based on custom and practice as established successfully in the County Borough since 1996, preparations were made to consult widely. A copy of the consultation document used to inform the consultation process has been placed in the Members’ Library. Public consultation on the proposal occurred over the period 1 February 2010 to 1 April 2010. 2.0 BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL 2.1 Discussions on the need to reorganise post-16 education and training in Merthyr Tydfil began in 2001. ELWa (now DCELL) funded a feasibility study which identified the requirement to develop a significantly enhanced post-16 provision through a university presence, effective business incubation and a high-tech information and technology facility. 2.2 Whilst the original intention was for Merthyr Tydfil to investigate its own 6th form provision, the WAG decided that it would take responsibility for this via its Geographic Pathfinder process, part of a national drive to modernise post-16 learning and training and to support the development of the 14-19 Learning Pathways agenda. Merthyr Tydfil was one of six authorities in Wales to be involved in the initiative. A review, undertaken in 2005, asked fundamental questions about the configuration of post-16 learning delivery in the authority. Key issues identified included: • the limited numbers of young people achieving at national standards; • low levels of formal qualifications in the adult population; • progression to higher education below the national average; • the existing learning network, in a compact community, is fragmented with breadth of opportunity being limited; • institutional and sectoral pressure to maintain the status quo tends to act as a barrier to collaboration; • school sixth form classes are generally small and this is restricting learner curriculum choice; • the sixth form consortium presently benefits limited numbers of learners and associated vocational provision is restricted; • there is overlap and duplication of provision; and • the area is characterised by low levels of post-16 engagement. 2.3 In response to the issues identified, ELWa investigated three different models for improvement, as follows: Option 1: Consortium Arrangement Strengthen and widen post-16 consortium arrangements to include all stakeholders, including schools, work based learning providers and the further education college as well as driving on a common timetable, rationalisation of minority subject provision and consequent transport needs. Option 2: Tertiary Moving to tertiary provision which will replace existing sixth forms and the full-time vocational provision at the further education college and move to a tertiary model with provision located largely on one site. Option 3: One Sixth Form College One sixth form site for academic provision, with vocational provision at the further education college. 2.4 Investigation of the three options was undertaken through consultation and research. A matrix was produced identifying the criteria by which the options were evaluated. For each criterion, scores were awarded in relation to the extent to which each option was deemed to satisfy that criterion. The criteria and scores awarded for each option were as follows: Comparative appraisal of options for Merthyr Tydfil Criteria scored 1-5, where 5 is strongly agree Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Choice : The option would increase the range/diversity of post-16 provision (e.g. by generating the broadest local 14-19 menu and entitlement for young people, including a broad 2 5 4 range of general and vocational and skills based options. Standards and achievement : The option would provide a quality of experience to young people and contribute towards achieving corporate targets on 3 5 4 standards and achievement. Participation/Widening Access/Equality of Opportunity : The option would encourage retention 3 5 3 and/or widen access most effectively. Progression : The option will strategically strengthen opportunities for pre- and post-16 progression. 2 5 4 Financial viability and cost effectiveness : The option would provide long-term value for money and reflect the demands of the new funding system for funding 2 5 3 productivity. Network efficiency : The option would increase the ability of the network to respond to future learner community and business needs (including 2 5 3 demographic change). Wider strategies : The option would complement other community, regional or local strategies and 2 5 3 plans. Potential cost : The option would not require significant capital investment to realise. 5 1 2 Complexity and risk : The option does not carry significant complexity and risks for implementation. 3 2 1 TOTALS 24 38 27 2.5 Based on the research undertaken, ELWa concluded that, in Merthyr Tydfil, learners aged 16-19 would be best served by tertiary provision and that secondary schools should focus on improving provision and standards for pupils aged 11-16. 2.6 On 14 December 2005, Council resolved that “ the principles of the ELWa Geographic Pathfinder recommendations are accepted and that the Directors of AFL (subsequently IAS) and ICS liaise with ELWa on the further detailed work that needs to be undertaken.” Subsequently, on behalf of the local authority, Tribal Education conducted extensive consultations on the ELWa recommendation. Whilst there was general agreement that the status quo was not acceptable, there was resistance to the proposition that sixth forms should close. 2.7 In 2006, the project management function was transferred to the University. The Council’s Chief Executive was confirmed as chair of the Project Board, consisting of lead directors from the local authority, DCELL representation, the lead councillor for IAS, Secondary Heads and leads from other learning provisions, including Work Based Learning, Community Learning and the University. The aim was to design a tertiary based solution that met WAG requirements, but reflected what was ‘best for Merthyr Tydfil’. Members of the Project Board, including Head Teachers and council representatives, affirmed that the status quo was not acceptable and that an approach leading to radically raising attainment and access was essential. It was recognized that such improvement needed to apply not only to those young people remaining in school post-16 (approximately 40-45%), but also to the majority (approximately 55-60%) of 16-year-olds who leave school without achieving the Level 2 threshold i.e. fewer than five good GCSEs or vocational equivalent. 2.8 In view of the concerns raised by Head teachers, the Project Board agreed that an Interim Business Case be devised to reflect a model which proposed additional subject areas to be delivered at a proposed Merthyr Learning Quarter (MLQ) whilst existing subjects would remain with the schools, but with the use of central laboratory facilities for practical work. The approach reflected a desire to improve the delivery of post-16 education and training that avoided disengaging the schools. It suggested a way forward that built on existing strengths and assumed a delivery model based on: • strong 11-16 provision to provide a basis for learners’ choice of post-16 learning pathways; • the key advantages associated with collaborative planning of curriculum opportunities; and • the involvement of schools and their staff in the delivery of appropriate specialist provision and pastoral care. 2.9 The Interim Business Case was completed and informal views sought from DCELL. The DCELL response was not favourable. The view was that it was highly unlikely that the case would be supported by the WAG for either EU Convergence or DCELL funding. Fundamental concerns highlighted included: • The proposal is

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