Although lifelong learning and opportunity is a new theme for the Community Planning Partnership, a range of activities has taken place within the other theme groups.
Community-based lifelong learning
The Partnership has worked together for a number of years to provide community-based lifelong learning opportunities. An example of this is the Community Access Programme that provides access to learning from local centres. Forth Valley College and Falkirk Council collaborate closely on pupils in school potentially moving onto Further Education. A Pathfinder project and New Start programmes are also provided to access paths into employment. Collaboration also takes place to provide alternatives to school for persistent non-attendees and under-achievers.
School-based lifelong learning
A wide range of support for raising achievement is currently in operation within Education Services. This includes:
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support and development of the curriculum
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staff development in aspects such as effective learning and teaching
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pupil guidance and welfare
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a range of support for learning staff
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visiting specialist teacher and tutor provision in expressive arts
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cultural co-ordinators
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environmental education in schools.
In addition to school-based initiatives (curricular and extra-curricular), we have put in place authority-wide programmes to raise achievement, embracing for example enhanced provision in the arts, sports and outdoor learning. Additional support mechanisms for pupils and a long-term commitment to enhanced learning and teaching are also seen as fundamental to this agenda. This approach is underpinned by the provision of good schools with appropriate facilities.
We are planning a further phase of our ambitious schools replacement programme. This will mean all our secondary schools will be replaced with new buildings and sports facilities by 2008.
Individual learning initiatives
Early Intervention, Family Literacy projects and pupils’ Personal Learning Plans are intended to support individual learning and engage parents in supporting their children’s education in the home. Adults in Schools projects are also in operation and expanding in capacity. Devolved management has meant that a substantial level of financial and operational decision-making has been passed to schools, providing them with an opportunity to take a local perspective on issues such as raising attainment and community involvement.
Community Learning and Development Strategy
The Community Learning and Development Partnership has produced a Community Learning and Development Strategy and has prepared and delivered key pieces of work for example: the Action Plan for Adult Literacy and Numeracy. This is fully integrated with a range of partners either referring clients or offering provision.
The same partnership is developing three Community Learning Plans. This group also drew down funding of £349,631 from the New Opportunities Fund, to develop and enhance learning facilities across the area. The Community Learning and Development Partnership continues to play a valuable role in providing opportunities for learning in the wider community. This will continue to contribute significantly through out-of-school- hours learning and operate in a range of premises, both schools and learning centres, covering all age groups.
Cultural and Leisure Strategy
Falkirk Council has developed an overarching Cultural and Leisure Strategy, together with a Strategy for the Arts. A Heritage Strategy is being developed, as is a Physical Activity Strategy. Integral to the delivery of these strategies and to the community as a whole is the provision of a wide range of learning opportunities through libraries, arts, heritage, sport and leisure, events and activities.
Supporting access to work
In order to support those who have greater difficulty accessing work opportunities, specific programmes are available that offer specific access to training and work opportunities.
A multi-agency group has been formed to develop specific programmes to provide learning opportunities for young people Not in Education, Employment or Training, NEET Group. This is planned for implementation early in 2006.
This theme group is at a very early stage in terms of its development. Its’ next task is to develop shared priorities based on the community’s needs and to develop specific actions to address these shared priorities.