e-sy.info The South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme Steve Farnsworth Deputy Director of Education – Sheffield David Brooks e-sy.info Programme Director – RM plc

Contents The Objective 1 context Key programme features Why e-learning? Why schools? E-learning and state policies The Big Challenges Public Private Partnership

Cultural transformation The Objective 1 Context Economic step change Cultural transformation

The South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme e-sy.info is one of the largest projects in the South Yorkshire Objective 1 programme Delivered by an extensive public private partnership Covering the four Local Education Authorities Engaging the life long learning spectrum from the age of 10 (Year 6) Requiring a unique approach in spending European structural funds on schools

Objective 1 Priorities P1 – High Growth Industry P2 – SMEs P3 – Learning & Skills P4 – Community P5 – Infrastructure P6 – Investment And … the ‘cross-cutting’ inclusion themes

Delivery Partnerships The Objective 1 vision EXPLOITING INNOVATION Delivery Partnerships Teachers & Trainers Mentors & Parents Curriculum & Courses Learning Foundations Technology Services LEARNING OUTCOMES Progression to Higher Levels Key & Basic Skills Vocational Curriculum Sector Specific Skills ECONOMIC GROWTH Jobs Adaptive Skills CULTURAL CHANGE Aspiration Inclusion Employability Flexible Learning SATS & Exams Growth of Companies G D P Step change from a vicious spiral to a virtuous circle

Key programme features Not kit alone ~ skills, tools and a new way of teaching and learning Focus on school age learners ~ the next generation workforce Link schools with businesses ~ especially through our High Growth Clusters in manufacturing & digital Include the ‘hard to reach’ Excluded pupils (e.g. GCSE English Online) Minority communities through the Portal Small enterprises through the POD programme Sub-regional implementation

Why e-Learning? An engaging curriculum, anytime-anywhere Teachers in learning communities A regional Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Raised attainment A developed workforce Higher value jobs

Why start in schools? the ICT platform is already there ICT as a key skill at 16 changing attitudes of young adults to learning has to achieved there common ICT tools, such as the VLE, are a vital aid to transition at KS2/3 and from school to further education ICT is fundamental to more and more jobs accreditation is moving on-line skills previously gained in the workforce are now vital to the school experience

The double helix metaphor Tertiary & work-based learning Secondary Primary Early Years Family Learning

The double helix metaphor Tertiary & work-based learning Secondary Lifelong learning; homes and communities Primary Early Years Family Learning

The double helix metaphor Tertiary & work-based learning Secondary Lifelong learning; homes and communities Primary Early Years Family Learning

The double helix metaphor Tertiary & work-based learning VLE Secondary Lifelong learning; homes and communities Primary e-tools & e-skills Early Years Family Learning

E-learning and state policies DfES ~ Towards a Unified e-Learning Strategy 14-19 reform Regionally: Learning for Life: New vocational pathways skills/work-based learning focus Specialist networks (via VLE) KS3 (11-14) strategy leadership development E-learning e-learning buildings - BSF

Gathering Evidence The four local authorities (LEAs) have validated and refined this view of e-learning & ICT skills Qualitative evaluation & action research based on the e-sy.info pilot (2001-2) Quantitative feedback on ICT performance from formal inspections (2002) Summer 2005 will see the first chance to validate the approach in terms of large regional cohorts

A Critical Success Factor for Growth: Creating the digital labour pool The e-sy.info programme is focused on: ‘Creating a world class learning region’ Ensuring the workforce is digitally literate Key transitions in lifelong learning, especially 10 though 19 Embedding ICT in KS3/4 (11-16) and vocational curriculum Employability in the knowledge economy Creating the learning habit in SMEs Widening participation through e-learning

Scalability & Sustainability Cascade training – building local capacity and sustainability Skills Academy structure; E-tutor & E-mentor skills Building a ‘brand’ that is widely known and valued for combining: ‘must-belong’ learning communities unparalleled learning resources and connectivity a wide range of public information and useful services Engaging long term support mechanisms through the e-sy.info Portal & the VLE Parents Libraries & Community Centres Employers

The Big Challenges Mitigating the risks Capitalising on opportunity

Transformation - The Risk & The Reward High Impact Transformation e-sy.info Narrow Reach Wide Reach Mainstream policy Isolated initiatives Control Low Impact Survival

The big challenges Entering new territory Scalability of both technical and organisational solutions Sustainability of the human effort and the investment Breaking the e-learning mould in terms of location, audience and mode Operating a contractual vehicle that combines value, performance and innovation

Public Private Partnership Validating strategy Assuring dynamism

Public Private Partnership: The Contracted Consortium The consortium includes RM - UK’s largest educational ICT supplier Tribal Technology Services - VLE specialists BTL / Virtual College – leaders in vocational on-line learning and e-assessment Sheffield Hallam University - Renowned ICT training provider and School of Education Sheffield College – National award winner in e-learning design and delivery

Engaging enterprise in the widest sense Cluster leaders Advanced Manufacturing – the Engineering Employers Federation Creative & Digital - Digital South Yorkshire National & international forces Boeing, Corus, Microsoft Community enterprises through the Objective 1 community action plans

Public Stakeholders The extent of the partnership and the delivery approach widens the circle of influence yet focuses the mission. It involves: The four Local Authorities Head teachers & principals The Learning & Skills Council (LSC) Objective 1 Directorate

Partnership Benefits Validating strategy and assuring dynamism through Breadth of experience Variety of perspectives Cultural challenges to the status quo Mutual contractual obligations Transparent benchmarking

The End Follow the story at www.e-sy.info