Preston

Education Partnership Officer  

Alison Walsh  

Period  

Summer 1 - May 2024  

Priority  

Develop a partnership approach to increase the number of young people accessing education, employment or training post-16. 

Intended Outcomes  

  • Reduce the number of 'Not Knowns' young people whose post 16 status is unknown to the LA. 
  • Increase the number of young people engaging in positive post 16 EET- including the Investing in Youth programme. 
  • Engage Preston schools careers leads in the project to share good practice and identify gaps. 
  • Engage Preston primary schools in the work also, looking at preventative work and raising aspirations. 

Activity last period  

  • Work with Youth Forum partners to raise their awareness of this priority and explore their role in increasing EET for Preston young people through a mini campaign of key messages.
  • Development of the 'Talking Futures for Preston' presentation to encourage all those working with young people to start conversations about EET.
  • Update from Preston City Council around the Youth Strategy consultation and the finding related to EET, career, guidance and support.
  • Discussion around the Career and Guidance section on the WHAY (Whats Happening Around You) app and how this can link with this TASS priority.
  • Update from Preston City Council on the UKSPF funded project and future projects under the next round of funding, shared with schools.
  • Engagement with the NATCEN NEET project– Moor Park High School and Corpus Christi High School.
  • Updates on the Care Leavers covenant and Inclusive Employers for those more vulnerable post 16 young people and their steps into EET.

Planned Activity Next Period

  • Working group to work with the DfE data on RONIs (Risk of NEET Indicators).
  • 14 schools- total of 38 KS1 classes to receive 'When I Grow Up' resource for Primary Schools from Atkins Realis.
  • Targeted working group to look at specific young people who are not accessing school and/ or risk of NEET- particularly new to country, homeless and those in a refuge.
  • Talking Futures for Preston presentation to be agreed, designed and shared with youth forum partners.
  • Further working group meeting to be held before the end of the summer term.
  • Explore the WHAY app for careers advice and guidance.

Impact so far  

  • 4 successful meetings held with 5 schools, 2 colleges and 7 different partners.
  • Schools reported feeling that the meetings were beneficial and supportive.
  • Good working links made between the LCC Youth Futures team and Preston City Council.
  • 4 secondary schools are linked with Preston City Council for latest vacancies and opportunities.
  • 14 schools applied to receive the Primary School resources.
  • Presentation developed for use with all youth providers.

Exit Strategy  

This priority is expected to run for the 23/24 academic year. The ambition is that careers leads in schools will be supported by a range of partners across the district to better support young people in making career choices post 16. A wide range of provision is known about and utilised.