Andrew Simmons Deputy Director – Services for Children And Young People Hertfordshire County Council The Headlines from Hertfordshire – Challenges and Opportunities

1.Progress made in improving outcomes for young people during the past 10 years 2.Partnership Working and building on what has worked. 3.Structural and organisational changes – working within a very different environment 4. New and emerging Challenges!

A historical perspective – stock take from A lack of clear leadership to plan for learning Recognised that progression and attainment post age 16 was relatively poor Focus too much on institutions and not enough on the quality of learning Insufficient choice of learning provision Value for money is unsatisfactory

SPG and 7 local SAPGs given key role in developing partnership based response to weaknesses in provision Local responses that enable access to appropriate learning provision for all young people Reducing NEETs and keeping all young people in learning Improving learning outcomes Development of 14 – 19 Strategic Partnership Arrangements from

Key Stage 4 Results - Long Term Trends % 5 A* to C GCSE 59.0%61.8%65.6%68.0%71.0%73.0%79.6% % 5 A* to C inc. En and maths 53.7%55.9%58.1%59.2%64.3% Improvement in inclusion related data over the same period: Reduced fixed term and permanent exclusions Improved attendance and reduced persistent absence Attainment gap closing for some vulnerable groups and key communities % 67% Key Stage 4 Outcomes Achieved

Significant progress made in achieving our post 16 objectives Most young people aged 16 / 18 stay in learning Very low NEET rates particularly at age 16 From below national average outcomes at age 18 to well above national average Gap narrowed for many of our most vulnerable groups Apprenticeship numbers increasing

Progress underpinned by partnership based approach and major infrastructure developments New and innovative provision in schools and FE colleges - working together enabling greater flexibility of provision for young people Further Education Colleges infrastructure developments –Private providers continuing to play a significant role New Studio schools and University Technical College (UTC)

BUT – not complacent! The rest of the country caught up again slightly this year Need to close the gap in achievement and well-being: - some groups of young people - some communities - some learning providers Educational Outcomes Achieved

Maintaining momentum within a changing environment Greater freedoms and flexibilities for schools and other institutions Changed post 16 funding arrangements Over two thirds of secondary schools likely to opt to become academies Significantly less funding to directly support 14 – 19 developments Changing role of Local Authority Ending of county wide 14 – 19 Strategic partnership arrangements and more flexibility in local arrangements Changes in responsibility for provision of careers guidance

Raising the participation age in Hertfordshire - set to achieve this objective – but system dynamics changing Almost all young people opt to stay in learning Very high post 16 participation rates Around 50% of young people continue immediately into Higher Education Opportunities for 18 year olds are still at their weakest for at least a generation and young adult (18 – 24 unemployment rates embarrassingly high Employer links need real focus and sustained development Preparing young people to become competitive in the labour market is critical Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships

Moving our thinking and strategies from 14 – 19 learning to 14+ (or from 14 until participants have a secure and sustainable job that enables economic viability) Better balance between education progression and work- based transitions between age Improved communication between key stakeholders about the development needs of all young people and the need from employers for a better prepared workforce Shared data on attainment, progression and destinations and on local / regional labour market developments Focus on joint actions between business and learning to improve outcomes