Agenda item

The Committee received a presentation regarding the Post 16 Partnership Transitions Working Strand from the Head of Centre at Stockton Sixth Form College. The presentation included:

• The importance of providing early advice and guidance using a shared language and messaging, e.g. in Year 9 when young people choose their GCSE options, to build knowledge and understanding of the pathways available at post-16. This would encourage young people to make earlier decisions about colleges and courses rather than leaving it until later and choosing courses that may not be right for them. The proactivity of the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) in the last two years, working with schools and colleges to promote post-16 choices and provision, was praised.
• Transport was a major influence on the choice of post-16 provider, with young people choosing colleges that were easier or quicker to get to. It was found that if a young people lived within walking distance of a college, that was their destination of choice. For others, depending on where the student lived, it could be easier for them to get public transport to providers outside of the Borough e.g. via one direct bus, rather than those inside the Borough where it was possible that they needed to take more than one bus.
• Friendship groups was also a considerable influence on young people’s choices, however it had been found that when young people attended college their friendship groups changed, and some realise the course was not for them. In these cases, young people who had left the Borough for their course may return.
• Exit interviews were conducted for those who left courses and the reasons why students came to a college from another provider was also captured. Retention was measured from September for at least six weeks, and for some providers into November, as this was the timeframe students were most likely to change providers or courses.
• Collaborative work to support vulnerable learners and break down barriers was taking place. SBC were working really well with providers to ensure that they had the information they needed to help those young people “land” at the right provider, building relationship with young people to assist in their transition to post-16 provision, and therefore be more likely to stay on the course.
• Greater clarity was needed for sharing of data and communication to ensure that young people were integrated quickly into colleges and any barriers were removed. SBC were ensuring providers were receiving accurate and timely information both before and when GCSE results were released to try to ensure that all young people had a place in post-16 provision and assist with the transition.
• Data sharing systems would only collect the information that was needed and not information over and above, to ensure compliance with data protection legislation. Providers were working to understand how to explain to students and their families who did not want to share their data the reasons why it was needed and how to make them to feel safe to do so.
• The Post-16 transitions survey key findings emphasised the importance of travel for young people when making their decisions, as well as early communication. The offer of post-16 provision was competitive, with different routes e.g. A level, vocational, apprenticeship. The survey would be repeated in the next academic year, and it was hoped that the percentage of students staying local would be increased.
• Providers were working with SBC to ensure skills and requirements needed by local industry were covered.
• Events and engagement that involved Year 9 students was crucial to ensure that they were better informed when making their decisions in Year 11.
• Since the Post-16 partnership collaboration, attendance to events and applications had increased, however students were applying for more than one provider, both within and outside of the Borough.

The Committee discussed the importance of transport, including knowing the local bus routes and issues that arose when a student missed their bus or a bus was late. It was suggested that advertising transport routes early would be useful and may impact on retention. It was noted that information and messages on transport was shared, not only with potential student but also with parents/carers who needed to feel confident their young person was safe. This not only included sharing bus timetables, but for Stockton Sixth Form Colleges there were free buses to Thornaby and Ingleby Barwick for students along with free bus passes. However, there were economic challenges for doing so. The Post-16 Partnership was due to meet with SBC’s Strategic Transport Manager to discuss transport issues with a view to influence the strategic planning of transport both locally and regionally.

Social media was raised, and it was noted that providers were communicating to young people on a broad range of social media channels including Tiktok which was currently the main channel for young people. There was a challenge, however, to ensure that the use language that young people would engage with.

 AGREED the information be noted.