Thematic report |
Post-16 partnerships - Shared planning and provision between schools, and between schools and colleges
This report on strategic planning and partnership working for the education of 16 to 19-year-olds in school sixth forms and further education colleges, provides an overview of the way that mainstream school sixth forms work with each other and with further education colleges, to support learners to study the post-16 courses that best meet their needs and abilities.
Recommendations
Schools and colleges should:
- R1 Ensure strong partnership working to develop collaborative provision with other providers where this helps to improve quality or expand choice
- R2 Ensure that post-16 provision delivered in partnership with other providers is underpinned by written agreements of responsibilities, and is included fully within improvement planning processes
- R3 Ensure that advice and guidance to learners is impartial, focused on learners’ needs, and informed by the provision, standards and support available at all local post-16 education and training providers
- R4 Share information to support the transition of learners to other providers in line with Welsh Government guidance
- R5 Submit accurate information about the programmes learners undertake, including the provider of each learning activity, as part of their annual data submissions to the Welsh Government
Local authorities and regional consortia should:
- R6 Ensure that strategic planning involves the wider community of local schools and colleges
- R7 Work together with colleges on joint professional learning activities where appropriate
- R8 Work with colleges to ensure that a suitable range of post-16 provision is available locally through the medium of Welsh
The Welsh Government should:
- R9 Review and consolidate legislation, policy and guidance for 16-19 provision to ensure consistency and clarity of expectations in a way that builds on the developments of Curriculum for Wales
- R10 Apply a consistent approach to the oversight and quality monitoring of post-16 provision, including planning and funding considerations
- R11 Provide prospective learners and their parents with clear information about learner progress and outcomes for school sixth forms and further education colleges in Wales
- R12 Ensure that any future Commission for Tertiary Education and Research addresses the findings and recommendations of this thematic review