14-19 Plan
Foundation Learning Tier
County Durham FLT (Progression Pathways Trial)
County Durham was not selected to be part of the QCA Trial 08/09, however, we have been asked to be part of the QCA Consultative Group on Foundation Learning Tier.
We have therefore decided to run our own trial with the 10 providers who had volunteered to be part of our bid for the QCA Trial. Planning has been taking place in these schools during the second half of the Summer Term and it is expected that small groups of young people will follow courses from the latest QCA FLT catalogue (see link below),including PSD, and trial Functional Skills using materials from a variety of exam boards.
Our next meeting is on 14 October, 2008, and details of what each provider is doing will be posted on the website after that date. In the meantime, should you require any further information on Foundation Learning Tier, or would like to trial some of the new qualifications/units, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Progression Pathways
FLT is designed to reform learning below Level 2 for all learners over the age of 14. It includes functional skills, vocational/subject learning and PSD/PLTs. It will replace some existing provision, including the KS4 Re-engagement programme for 14 – 16 year olds, E2E and the Foundation Learning Programme for adults.
The programme aims to co-ordinate provision at this level through use of appropriate qualifications and units within the QCF, all of which gain credits for the learners who can to progress through Entry Level and Level 1 towards Level 2. There are four progression pathways, each with their own aim:
· To full Level 2 (19+ years)
· To independent living or supported employment (16-25 years)
· To skilled work (16-18 years)
· To Diplomas or GCSE (14 – 16 years)
The FLT (Progression Pathways) provides a coherent structure to provision below Level 2 and will remove the current potential for learners to repeat qualifications or remain at the same level of learning. Each learner, including those with learning difficulties, will have a clearly negotiated identified pathway and opportunities for progression which enable them to reach their potential. The qualifications strategy has informed the accreditation of qualifications and is providing the basis for any new Entry and Level 1 regulatory criteria developed through the QCF.
The FLT is part of the overall 14-19 reforms. Development has been informed by other qualification reform projects and will become an integral part of overall provision. FLT goes live in 2010.
· Durham was the only “full” LA to take part in the 14-16 trials 2006- 2007
· Cross Sector Cluster groups were established across the county and the following tasks were undertaken and findings fed back to inform QCA-
o Identification of possible pathways for progression
o Exploration of initial assessment and PSD for inclusion in FLT
o Development of curriculum models, some of which are being internally trialled in schools this year
We have been invited to be a part of a consultative group working with QCA 08/09.
What does this mean for future developments in County Durham?
· We will be working closely with those responsible for rolling out the diplomas; FLT underpins these.
· There must be greater cross phase collaboration and more joined up thinking to ensure parity of provision across providers and to secure progression opportunities.
· Schools/colleges need to be reviewing current provision for learners at this level and beginning to plan to address identified needs/gaps/training requirements. We recommend that this review is carried out in consultation with other providers, cross sector, in your area.
· All schools need to be up to speed and more actively involved in preparing for the introduction of functional skills; these are a major part of FLT. Please note that Shirley Fall is leading on this in county. Check for courses on the extranet.
· Schools need to be developing clear initial assessment for identifying those young people who are to access this tier of learning; QCF are already populating this section with qualifications and a full offer will be available by 2010. NB there is some disappointment at which qualifications/units have been included.
A county consultative group is to be established. More information later
2010 is very close; all providers need to be thinking about FLT and progression pathways.
Current (07/08) Year 7 pupils will be eligible for an offer from these progression pathways at 14. Current Year 9 will be eligible post-16.
Programme of Work
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.
FoundationLearningTier.pdf (FLTProgrammeofWork pages, 576kb)
It is planned for the FLT to be fully functional by September 2010.
Foundation Learning Tier Update FLT update.pdf (2 pages, 101kb)
