Next practice in system leadership and governance in Cumbria

1
Next practice in system leadership and governance
in Cumbria

• Whats the problem?
• Ensuring that our 13 year olds - Tracey, Darren,
  William, Daisy and Tom - have access to the best
  possible teaching and learning in top quality
  facilities in subjects matched to their
  individual interests, aptitudes and needs - in
  every area of a large, diverse, geographically
  challenging, rural county with an underperforming
  economy, significant variations in social,
  economic and educational deprivation and no
  single secondary/tertiary provider structure.

2
What are we trying to achieve?

• Securing sustainable leadership and governance
  arrangements for Cumbrias five Travel to Learn
  Area 14-19 Partnerships to collaboratively
  provide a personalised entitlement to a world
  class learning experience that inspires and
  enables all young people to achieve their full
  potential in life, in work and as a member of the
  community -
• So Tracey, in Barrow, can benefit from learning
  in the specialist engineering facilities at the
  college and follow her interest in architecture
  and sculpture right through to graduate level.
• So William, in Penrith, feels at home in three
  different learning locations a week and is
  gaining the skills, qualifications and experience
  to help the family business diversify and thrive.
• So Darren, in Carlisle, can see the point of
  continuing in learning and feels like hes spoilt
  for choice in the range of subjects and pathways
  on offer.

3
The Field Trial Journey

• Three sites Furness, Eden, Carlisle. Very
  different infrastructures, challenges, priorities
  and starting points. Looking at 14-19 Trusts and
  Company Limited by Guarantee as a means to secure
  long term sustainability.
• Carlisle and Eden slow to start - partnership
  immaturity, capital distractions and
  concentration on 14-19 Skills Centre development.
• Furnesss long track record of collaboration has
  paid dividends. Some overlap with Trust School
  Pathfinder project.
• In all cases there are three key success
  criteria
• Stay focussed on vision and personal benefits for
  young people.
• Create the right culture for real collaborative
  activity and acknowledge the different skills
  sets required.
• Have the right people on the ground with
  independence, cross sectoral credibility and
  determined commitment to delivery.
• And look out for destructive, contradictory
  policy missiles
• - dont underestimate the time it takes
  to manage the changes.

4
What difference will it make?

• Traceys little brother David wont think of
  himself as a Parkview pupil but as a Furness
  Learner, able to take advantage of all that the
  areas learning providers have to offer.
• Williams youngest sister Louise will be the
  first generation in the Eden Valley to have the
  full range of vocational and traditional
  curriculum and qualification options, and the
  personalised support to help her choose the right
  route for her.
• Darrens younger brother Kyle wont even consider
  the fast bucks, employment without training, no
  prospects route at 16 because hes been enthused
  by the opportunities on offer and the
  impartiality of the information, advice and
  guidance he receives.