14-19 Plan
Durham 1000
ESF Co-Financing Project, 1 September 2005 to 30 December 2007.Closure Report
Improving Participation and Achievement: 14-19
The concept of the project was part of the 14-19 Strategy for Education and Training in County Durham 2004 - 2008. Activities and support were to be concentrated on specific groups of young people to ensure they had every opportunity to progress into structured learning beyond the age of 16 and they are retained to complete their post 16 learning or training choice.
The success of the project was based on a multi-agency partnership, encompassing supportive measures to encourage disengaged young people to remain in learning through access to a range of 'transition' programmes. A major delivery focus was on developing the capacity of staff to deliver alternative and new qualifications, employ innovative ways of teaching, including using technology appropriate to the level of needs of the young people. The use of 'staff' as change agents to improve participation and encourage collaborative good practice was central to the success of many young people in the target group.
Funding provided support to improving attainment, which was managed by the Beyond Expectations Team (BETT). The improvement in participation rates was the result of the D1000 project team working with partners, who were allocated funding streams to deliver integrated additional support and provision, based on individual needs. In addition central support was offered through Continuing Personal Development (CPD) events for staff and some county-wide activities for young people.
The Closure Report outlines each element of the project and identifies good practice. The information has been used to inform future developments at a county and local level. The sharing of this report will hopefully enable others to consider the successful strategies used and include them in their future planning to support more young people to remain in learning and training at key transition points in their education 14-19.
