ONTrack Solutions

Welcome

We hope you had a relaxing Christmas and are returning to work enthused and rested.

In the autumn we began a project to meet with the Primary heads in order to discuss ways in which ONTRACK can work with them to improve business planning and development.

As a result of those initial meetings we have expanded the scope of this newsletter and it will now start to show items that should be of interest to our wider audience.

As always, if you have suggestions for items or want to know more about a particular subject we will be happy to research how we might better meet your needs.

Impartial Advice and Guidance Event 13th December 2011

This was a well attended, informative and engaging event. We were fortunate to attract some knowledgeable and entertaining speakers. Colleagues from Essex and Thurrock attended in addition to Southend representatives from schools, Connexions and other professionals.

The feedback has been very positive and we look forward to arranging similar events in the future.

If you would like to have copies of the various presentations these are available as .pdf in the related downloads section on the right-hand side of this page.

Primary Consultation

We have now had discussions with 8 of 33 Primary schools.

These started with an introduction to ONTRACK and some examples of the work that we have done with Secondary schools; then moved on to talk about the issues facing the schools and what we might be able to do to assist them in developing their projects. Suggestions so far have been:

• Identifying grants for repairs and refurbishment
• Ideas for developing and funding 'eco-school' projects
• Funding for longer term provision eg Crèches, library, coffee shops
• Transport sharing

We hope to visit the remaining schools during January but please feel free to contact us if you have a project in mind that you would like to discuss

Raising the Participation Age (RPA)

Who is RONI?

RONI is the acronym for 'Risk of NEET Indicators'; it is a bundle of indicators designed, as the name suggests, to allow early identification of those learners most likely to become 'Not in Education, Employment or Training'. RONIs include:

• % attendance (less than 85%)
• English as an additional language (EAL)
• Exclusions (Permanent or Fixed Term 10 or more sessions)
• Free School meals (FSM)
• Attainment results at Key Stage 1 (below Level 2), Key Stage 2 (below Level 3), & Key Stage 3 (below Level 5) for maths, reading and writing. U at Key Stage 4 (across all subjects)
• Looked after children (LAC)
• Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Traveller
• Medical Conditions (if it affects learning/attendance)

With the first milestone for RPA less than two years away it is important that learners and parents understand the importance of planning sustainable pathways. Identifying those most at risk is a key part of that planning.

We are developing a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the likelihood of learners becoming NEET in the future.

Funding

Invitations have been sent out to a briefing on the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) Funding and Allocations process for 16-19 Provision in 2012/13 and strategic priorities for your local authority area.

The briefing is for providers of education and training for 16-19 year olds and will give you the opportunity to hear detail of the process for 16-19 funding and allocations for 2012/13 from the YPLA and the local strategic priorities from your local authority.

This will take place on 12th January at the Tickfield Centre-13:30 to 16:00.

If you have not received your invitation and would like to attend please email clare.trevatt@ypla.gov.uk We will be following this up on 25th January (08:30 for 09:00 start) with a workshop that will look  at each school's post-16 allocation and the likely impact. If you would like to attend this event please contact the 14-19 Advisor, philwarner@southend.gov.uk.

Area Wide Prospectus

We have joined with Essex CC to develop an Area Wide Prospectus that will allow learners to view all courses available in Essex and Southend. This will become fully operational next summer but please have a look at the 'beta' version here: http://beta-southendawp.webbased.co.uk/

GoMAD

The Council has invested in a Solution Focussed Thinking system known as GoMAD. In a time of change it is particularly important to make sure that projects and issues are thoroughly examined prior to making decisions. If you are interested in learning more about this you can contact us or Organisational Development; or have a look at GoMAD's website (http://www.gomadthinking.tv)