Schools Partnership Report Governing Body Education Committee 21st November 2018

Overview Entitlement Framework Area Learning Communities Collaboration with SERC FE Sector Position Issues/Challenges

Entitlement Framework VEP – funded by DEL 2001-2008 Entitlement Framework (EF) - introduced by DE in 2008 - to provide a broad and balanced curriculum at 14-19, matched to the needs & aptitudes of all pupils: 21 courses at KS4 (originally 24) 21 courses at post 16 (originally 27) One-third of courses must be applied, with greater emphasis on practical coursework; one-third must be general with greater emphasis on examinations.

Area Learning Communities (ALCs) Area Learning Communities were established to enable schools, FE colleges and other providers, to work in collaboration to provide efficient delivery of the Entitlement Framework. There are 29 ALCs in Northern Ireland – 4 in the South Eastern Region: Lecale Learning Community (LLC) Ballynahinch Learning Community (BLC) Lisburn Area Learning Community (LALC) North Down and Ards Area Learning Community (NDALC)

Benefits to ALCs SERC has been extremely successful in improving educational outcomes for pupils at KS4, as well as developing applied, work- related provision at post 16, which has enabled sixth form pupils to progress to higher education at university, in FE and to employment. Access to greater range of applied subject choices through working in partnership with other schools and SERC Collaborative blocks hosted by SERC improve efficiency and greatly enhance options for smaller schools/cohorts Access to subjects not normally available in schools Delivered in state of the art industry standard facilities Appropriately qualified Professional & Technical staff

Benefits to SERC Additional income stream Marketing Enhances reputation with schools, pupils, parents, and wider community Careers Advice & Guidance to schools pupils 14-19 Influences Progression to TFS, FE and HE Raises profile with employers

Current Position 2018/19 Working with 23 schools with an expected income of £690K and enrolment of approximately 1100 pupils: 3 grammar schools 4 integrated schools 6 maintained schools 5 controlled schools 4 special schools 172 classes delivered each week, across all campuses, involving 86 SERC teachers.

Performance Statistics   2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 No of schools 36 35 32 31 28 Enrolments 1656 1555 1456 1196 1119 Income £1.01m £891K £817K £790K Achievement 86% 89% 92% 90% 91% KS4 88% 93% Post 16 98% 94% 97% FE Sector Averages: KS4: 91% post16: 94%

FE Sector Income Since 2015/16 33% decline in income across sector since 2015/16 11% decline in income across sector since 2017/18

Progression to FE – 5 year analysis

EF Demographic Trends Since Entitlement Framework collaboration was introduced in 2008/09 there has been a 9% increase number of pupils attending school sixth forms, against a backdrop of an 8% decline in the 16/17 age population: DE Statistics: 2008/9 2016/17 Pupils in 6th form 27113 29485 NI 16-17 population est. 51460 47528 % staying on to 6th form 52.70% 62.00% N.B. The percentage of pupils in the 16/17 population staying on to sixth form in 2003/04 was 45.6%. Statistics Supplied by Department of Education

Issues/Challenges EF Collaboration with Schools: Uncertainty around EF funding after 2019 Sustainability of schools Duplication of provision Effective Careers Advice & Guidance Impact on full-time FE: Lack of agreed DE/DfE Strategy for 14-19 education Demographic trends Regulation of Professional Technical Qualifications Post 16 recruitment in schools’ sector Area Based Planning within ALCs