14-19 education reform agenda

NYA has put together a series of documents designed to support managers and practitioners in understanding and interpreting the rapidly developing 14 -19 education reform agenda.

Introducing the 14-19 education reform agenda

Educational reform is part of the Government’s strategy to ensure that young people achieve and succeed in all aspects in their lives. Every Child Matters: Change for Children (Nov 2004) set out the five outcomes for young people: to be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. In February 2005 The 14-19 Education and Skills white paper began the process of educational reform which will introduce a whole new landscape of education and training provision for young people

The place of non-formal learning has been secured both legally and in implementation planning within the new structures but there is a way to go before the concepts and practices this includes are widely understood and accepted.

It is our belief that “all youth work is non-formal learning, but that not all non-formal learning is youth work”. Youth work has much to offer the developing structures and processes. The particular mix of method, principle and intended outcomes for young people means that the focus of youth work activity is always the personal and social development of young people. Youth work is grounded in an educational process that seeks to support young people on their journey to adulthood and to enable them to fulfil their potential as individuals.

You will find links below to the following documents:

14–19 Reforms Glossary - 14 -19 Reforms Glossary which describes the key policy strands relating to the developing 14 – 19 reform agenda grouped under the following headings – policy and strategy; infrastructure and delivery of the new qualifications framework; performance management and quality assurance; and access, support and communication.

14–19 Reforms and the lives of young people - A diagram identifying the non-formal learning jigsaw of 14 -19 Reforms and the lives of young people.

14-19 The Social Policy Landscape chart - A chart showing the Social Policy Landscape which brings together the new qualifications framework, the education and achievement reforms and key wider strategic initiatives under the banner headlines of current social policy trends.

You may also find useful information on a former Department for Children’s, Schools and Families website which is dedicated to the 14 -19 reforms: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/14-19/

The site provides a range of information intended to support parents and carers, employers, schools and colleges, universities and local authorities and their partners.

The Local Government Association has launched Hidden talents - a new project looking at the issue of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).  A series of publications and events are planned to to move the debate forward, and develop a detailed understanding of how an effective national response is delivered through local government.