Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Children and Young People providing an outline of the proposed plan for the delivery of Post 16 education within a 14 to 19 context.

It was advised that Halton Borough Council (HBC) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) were required to ensure that plans were in place for the effective delivery of 14 – 19 education. Both organisations were responsible for securing sufficient provision in the Borough to meet the new educational entitlements and the ambition to raise the participation age in education. There were a number of key drivers of this new planning framework and these were outlined within the report for Members’ information.

It was proposed that a Collegiate model be developed for the delivery of Post 16 education, which would be sited within the 14 – 19 framework. The Local Authority would commission provision through the Collegiate model. The partnership of Riverside College, secondary schools, work based learning providers, together with Halton Council, would then be in a position by 2013 to deliver the national entitlement. This would include vocational elements, AS/A Levels, International Baccalaureate and the new Diplomas.

The Collegiate would oversee the strategic development of the Borough-wide offer for Post 16 education within the 14 – 19 framework and two Collaboratives, one in Widnes and one in Runcorn, would be formed to oversee specific developments of Post 16 education within each learning community.

Delivery was based on the assumption that Riverside College, all secondary schools, special schools, and work-based learning providers would be centres for 14-19 learning, carrying equal status and working within a collaborative to deliver the “Halton offer” to young people.

Further information was provided in the report regarding the fundamental framework, the national context, the local context, the consultation process that had been undertaken, and the role of the Local Authority and relationships with stakeholders. It was advised that the Collegiate approach required alignment of LSC and Building Schools for the Future (BSF) capital investment, and the Collegiate would critically inform the Council in its future Commissioning role under the Machinery of Government transferred LSC responsibilities to the Council in 2010.

The Board noted the work that had gone into establishing this model, which would build on the excellent attainment levels achieved by schools in the Borough in recent years, and extended thanks to all those involved including head teachers, the College and Principal, and relevant officers within the Borough Council.

Reason for the Decision

            There was a pressing requirement to agree provision for Post 16 education with a 14 – 19 context in Halton. As part of the developing BSF programme, and the Primary Capital Programme, a review of Post 16 education within a 14 to 19 context had to be undertaken.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

            None. This was a requirement for the BSF and Machinery of Government programmes.

Implementation Date

            The Collegiate and two Collaboratives would form as soon as approval was granted, building on the preparatory meetings to date. Implementation of the full model would commence September 2010.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Collegiate model be approved as the delivery mechanism for Post 16 education within the 14 – 19 curriculum in Halton;

(2)       the Widnes and Runcorn Collaborations within the Collegiate Model be approved; and

(3)       the design of the model be delegated to the Collegiate Strategic Board.