News
Newsletter 4

The Diploma - which will be a new qualification, will combine practical skill development with theoretical and technical understanding and knowledge. Sheffield LA has been successful in gaining three diploma lines as a result of a gateway application to DfES. These lines are Construction, Creative and Media and IT and will be delivered from September 2008. Nick Duggan quoted in the Yorkshire Post said that
" The whole idea of diplomas is that they are industry led. They are not occupational qualifications. Young people won't leave these diplomas and be job ready but they will have a broad knowledge of the industry."
For more information about the Diploma visit: http://www.qca.org.uk/1158_15782.html

The Vocational Skills Programme in Sheffield currently involves approximately 2,500 pupils from 27 Sheffield secondary schools. Special schools and Spring Lane College are also involved in the programme. Key Stage 4 pupils are undertaking a range of courses including: construction, engineering, animal care, catering, hairdressing, beauty, business administration, motor vehicle, retail, sport and horticulture.

Functional Skills - A pilot of functional skills qualifications will take place from September 2007. Three Sheffield secondary schools have expressed an interest in becoming involved in these trials. The final qualification will be ready for full use from September 2009 for English and ICT and 2010 for mathematics. For more information visit: http://www.qca.org.uk/15893.html

14-19 Prospectus is a comprehensive online menu of all education and training opportunities in Sheffield and has been well received by participating organisations.

applysheffield is an online application process for post 16. Nine schools have used the system to apply for post 16 places for 2007. It is anticipated that all schools will use the system for post 16 applications for admissions in 2008.

Area Improvement Partnerships (AIP) Four strategic planning partnerships are being set up in Sheffield, with the purpose of co-ordinating the 14-19 vocational offer in line with the 14-19 Implementation Plan.

Our training venues

Sheffield’s Construction Design Centre is a new and unique partnership between Sheffield City Council’s Children and Young People’s Service and the construction industry. The centre was opened in November 2005 and delivers specialised construction and design training to 14-16 year olds, contributing to the city wide learning for life strategy

The centres specialised training zones will ensure that all learners can train in a variety of construction trades including bricklaying, joinery, painting and decorating, design, IT and in the future kitchen and bathroom fitting. The young people who attend the construction school are from secondary schools across Sheffield. In Y10 trainees complete the Edexcel Skills fro Working Life qualification and in Y11 they work on the City and Guilds Foundation Craft Award.

Retail at the Source
Sheffield pupils are undertaking BTEC First in Retail at the Source, which is connected to Meadowhall. This is a partnership programme with the meadowhall’s centre management team was established in 2003. Pupils have a linked work experience as part of the course in some of the 270 shops at Meadowhall. Pupils gain the qualification as well as valuable expertise in the retail sector. Some pupils will secure apprenticeships within the centre and move into their post 16 provision.

6 GCSE’s for Retail Young Apprenticeships
Young Apprenticeships from Handsworth Grange, Hinde House, Newfield and Yewlands currently studying a BTEC First Diploma in Retail at The Source, Meadowhall are going to work in February. During their work experience they will be completing an extra Customer Service qualification.

Allocated to various major retailers such as Quiz, Atkinsons, Top Shop, Burtons, BHS, Zara, Miss Selfridges, Top Man and Mothercare they will undertake customer service and retail operations to compliment their studies. The BTEC First Diploma in Retail, equivalent to 4 GCSE’s at A-C level will be aligned with a BTEC Award in Customer Service worth 2 GCSEs at D-G level.

First Aid courses together with communication, self development, interview techniques, presentation skills and dress code are also included in the programme ensuring a wide variety of personal skills are developed to a high standard.

Film Project at The Production School
Pupils working at the Production School at the AVEC building have made two films and the BBC has agreed to include them as part of the Children's Festival at the end of June, to be screened at The Showroom Cinema in early July. The pupils will have to introduce their work in front of a live audience, prior to screening! One is about Street Car Racing in Sheffield (Film Title: Rush) and the other is about building bridges between our senior citizens and the youth of today. O.A.P. (Film Title: Open Arms Project). For more information contact Pete Eason (June 2006)

For more information contact Nick Duggan