Work based learning

Helping students who want to work in sport

scameron — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:59:19 +0100

There are more than 200 possible roles in the sport and active leisure sector, yet many school leavers are only aware of the traditional options, coaching and instructing. If they consider themselves ill-equipped for these jobs, they are likely to abandon all thoughts of a career in sport or leisure.

In reality, the sport and leisure industry is one of the country’s fastest growing sectors, and with the battle against inactivity and obesity high on the government agenda, the demand for skilled
staff to deliver its objectives will only continue to rise.

Achieving global dimension: a case study

scameron — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:46:47 +0100

Helen Gosnell, Advanced Skills Teacher for Global Dimension and Sustainable Development, Sir John Lawes School, Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Making global learning central to your curriculum

scameron — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:37:48 +0100

We live in a global society and I believe it is important that young people, wherever they are in the world, have an understanding of how their actions and choices impact on the lives of others – not only in different countries but on different continents. From the food we buy to the way we get to work, our everyday decisions have consequences for the world around us and we need to understand those consequences if we are to build a fairer, more sustainable society.
Gordon Brown, ‘Introduction’ to Global matters, DEA, 2008a

Vocational activities for SEN

scameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:13:26 +0000

My first contact with the pupils of The Clare School in Norwich was at a Scout camp, when sixth-form pupils were involved in The Duke of Edinburgh Award activities (see Special Children 180). I was impressed by how much the pupils were enjoying themselves, and how enthusiastic parents were about the work that goes on in the school. Headteacher Nigel Smith described the camp as ‘the tip of the iceberg’, and for 45 minutes he outlined some of the school’s many vocational and extra-curricular activities, and why he thinks they are important.

Keeping G&T education relevant to 21st century skills

scameron — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:22:41 +0000

We are all aware that the pace of change in society generally is accelerating and the future will be very different from the present. The catalysts for change are many, but include: continuing technological change; the impact of globalisation; changes to ways of working; the impact of demographic trends; changing lifestyles; and economic prosperity.

Health and safety for work-related learning: What schools need to know

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:50 +0100

In recent years there have been substantial developments in the way that schools offer their students experience of the world of work. Since 2006 there has been a statutory requirement for Key Stage 4 students to undertake enterprise education and work-related learning. This, combined with the broadening of the 14-19 curriculum to incorporate applied and vocational learning, has led to an expansion of the workplace experiences available to young people during their school career.

Collaboration and unity: the rewards of 100% specialist status

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:49 +0100

Having 100% specialist status in a local authority can bring major benefits to schools, teachers, pupils and the wider community if structures, personnel and initiatives are in place that facilitate and drive effective and authority-wide collaboration between schools and community partners. That is the verdict of headteachers in one of the country’s 17 100% specialist local authorities, Plymouth.

Education and business working together

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:41 +0100

For us to evaluate the links between schools and business and their impact on learning we need to begin by understanding its recent history. When I completed my secondary education and headed off to university in 1971 I was largely ignorant of what business was and how it functioned. I can’t remember any attempt by my teachers to link my learning to what was happening in the ‘real world’ of business.

Meeting the needs of gifted and talented 14-19 students

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:25 +0100

For some time developing gifted and talented provision in post-16 education, particularly in FE colleges, has seemed, for many, an isolated and embattled experience. Will changes in the 14-19 landscape offer greater opportunities for G&T learners, both those following traditional routes and those such as the talented painter and decorator?

Guidance for careers and better health

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:17 +0100

Many people, regardless of their age, assume that the NHS is made up purely of doctors and nurses. In fact, there are over 300 different jobs and careers in healthcare, including many within the field of the allied health professions (AHPs). These practitioners play a vital part in providing healthcare to millions of people in hospitals and the community.

Engaging teenagers in the world of work

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:17 +0100

New paradigm of work

Top tips for starting a media career

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:16 +0100

Securing a job in the media is an ambition shared by significant numbers of young people. This inevitably results in a crowded and competitive arena. It can seem impossible to find an opening when too many applicants are chasing too few opportunities, and this can lead to disappointment and disillusionment. The key to success is to have a clear strategy for getting started based on solid preparation, a clear idea of what is involved and an understanding of the experience, skills and personal qualities which best support an application.

Understanding workplace culture

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:13 +0100

The Student Experience Report 2006 states that 41% of higher education students have a paid job in addition to their academic studies. Many sixth formers and younger school pupils undertake Saturday work, and for all students termly breaks offer opportunities to take on paid employment. In addition to the financial rewards, there are many clear benefits to gaining workplace experience.

Extending careers services in FE colleges

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:11 +0100

Not all college managers are convinced of the value of careers education. The free market environment which still pervades FE causes a pressure on time and resources which often minimises the opportunities for effective careers advice and guidance.

This article looks at the status and role of careers education in FE colleges and suggests strategies to improve and extend the reach of provision.

Earning a living through horticulture

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:11 +0100

Horticulture has had a poor image as a badly paid career for unintelligent people. In reality horticulture is a huge industry with a career structure like any other expanding sector of the economy. Its spectrum of opportunities range from potting up seedlings to international marketing, designing a back garden or a golf course, selling plants at farmers’ markets, to managing glasshouse tomato production.

Nuffield Review of 14-19 Education and Training

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:11 +0100

The Nuffield Review of 14-19 Education and Training’s 2005-06 report addresses all aspects of the subject in England and Wales. It does this by examining the relevant research literature as well as through engaging with teachers, lecturers, employers, training providers, voluntary bodies, policy makers and learners.

Positive determination

The review paints a positive picture of just how far people are determined to:

Making the right choices at 14 and 16

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:10 +0100

Schools can make a real difference to how young people make decisions, regardless of the type of school or the characteristics of the young person.
This is one of the key findings from a recent research study carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) for the DfES (for more details of what this involved, see 'Purpose of research', below, and 'Context of study', below).

Guiding students to make informed curriculum choices

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:10 +0100

School context

Towards a new professionalism in the further education sector

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:06 +0100

The post-compulsory education and training (PCET) sector is rightly celebrated for its richness in diversity. Teachers, trainers and tutors working in further education (FE) colleges, work-based learning (WBL) providers and organisations supporting community learning and development (CLD) come from a variety of backgrounds, often entering teaching through non-traditional routes.

Helping students to find rewarding work placements

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:55 +0100

Many year 11 students opt to undertake work placements towards the end of the summer term, when the prospect of a new learning environment can represent an enjoyable contrast to the pressures of the GCSE examination period. It is very helpful to have the arrangements in place well in advance. This ensures that students are able to process their applications in order of preference rather than rushing to find something available at short notice. It also gives host organisations ample time to devise a challenging and interesting programme.

Praise for results includes pat on back for vocationalism

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:33 +0100

At GCSE level, a rise in achievement in the basics of English and maths was picked out for particular praise — these subjects are the ‘bedrock’ of every student’s education, said Schools Minister Jacqui Smith.

Schools have long way to go to prepare students for work

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:30 +0100

This is particularly the case for those with a greater proportion of higher-achieving pupils, emphasising the continued air of academic snobbery that surrounds these new work-related courses.

In schools that have made progress, teaching and learning remains poor in one in five, according to a new report from Ofsted.

Blair extols vocationalism: but mere words not enough

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:30 +0100

‘Race to keep up’

Opening a new vocational college in Crawley, Mr Blair said that the UK was ‘racing to keep up’ with the growing number of skilled workers in countries such as China and India. At the launch of Central Sussex College, he said that he saw investing in vocational colleges as important as putting money into schools and universities.

Work-based learning experience: a case study

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:29 +0100

Peter Newton, 13–19 Director, King Richard School, Portsmouth.

Praise for results includes pat on back for vocationalism

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:19:17 +0100

She also highlighted the increased entries for vocational GCSEs, saying that this showed how positively students were responding to the increased choices available to them from 14. ‘These qualifications are supported by employers and will form the building blocks of the new specialised diplomas announced in the 14–19 White Paper’ she said. Findings of a recent NFER research report have confirmed the positive impact vocational courses are having on students —.