Post-16 education changes are set for approval

Plans to change post-16 education in Newtown and throughout Powys are likely to move forward on Wednesday.

The county council wants to allow students to be able to access education throughout the county rather than just at one school or centre.

The move, as part of its strategy for transforming education in the county up to 2030, would see students still based at Newtown's sixth form, and others in the area, but with access to wider opportunities.

This would be through face-to-face, online and other methods of education from centres across the county.

It said it wants all post-16 learners to have equal access to high-quality provision in both Welsh and English for all learners including those with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
 
"To achieve this, the council is proposing to introduce a new structure, including a strategic management board, which would ensure there is a strategic oversight of post-16 schools’ provision in Powys," said a statement.

"The proposed structure will ensure that post-16 learners are able to access a broad range of subjects, with a blended offer of academic and vocational provision.
 
"Post-16 provision will remain at all current Powys post-16 centres as part of the proposals. Under this model, all post-16 learners will have a ‘home base’ but will be able to access courses locally and across the county via face-to-face teaching and through the online delivery of lessons."
 
Dr Caroline Turner, Chief Executive of Powys County Council, said: “One of the strategic aims in our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys is to improve the learner entitlement and experience for post-16 learners in the county.
 
“We believe that all learners should flourish and grow into capable, healthy, confident and ethically informed citizens so that they are prepared to contribute fully as ambitious, enterprising and independent individuals to the demands of the 21st Century.
 
“Our ambition for post-16 schools’ provision is that it provides an inclusive and flexible academic and vocational provision for all learners, regardless of their language or ability, so that all learners can access a broad, balanced and appropriate curriculum offer through the medium of Welsh and English.
 
“We want our learners to be effectively supported to thrive through well-planned enrichment activities and through bespoke wellbeing, academic, vocational and career support and guidance.
 
“We also want to forge strong partnerships between other higher education partners and employers to ensure that all learners can be appropriately advised on their next steps.
 
“Innovative use of digital learning opportunities will support and supplement the offer available to ensure the quality and breadth of provision is sustained.
 
“The leadership and governance will ensure that all provision is of the highest standard and delivered by passionate specialist, and reflective practitioners with a proven track record of excellence, where all staff and learners are highly valued as part of the learning organisation.
 
“Outstanding academic, vocational, and extra-curricular outcomes of the highest level will ensure that all Powys learners will have access to their appropriate, meaningful and aspirational pathway.
 
“We want to transform post-16 schools’ provision in Powys so that it makes a real difference for our learners.  We believe the proposed structure will help the council achieve this.”
 
Cabinet will be considering the proposal on Tuesday, May 18, with the council’s Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee considering the proposal on Wednesday, 12 May.