Department for Children, Schools and Families: The 14–19 reform

The challenge

In 2008, the DCSF appointed JMW in partnership with Kreate and EdComs to train facilitators to deliver Briefing sessions on the 14–19 Reforms in schools, colleges, universities and Local Authorities.

The key objectives were:

  • to inform stakeholders about what is driving the Reforms
  • to outline how the different strands of the reforms will fit together
  • to share insights into how the reforms might work at a local level
  • to identify key questions, and answer them if possible.

Our approach

The EdComs Live team lead the training of 42 facilitators, many with considerable experience in the field of education.

Initially, five facilitators were trained to deliver a week of pilot briefing sessions in schools and colleges belonging to Gateway 2 consortia.

Following the pilot’s success, we led a week of intensive residential training with all facilitators in conjunction with JMW and Kreate. Senior representatives from the DCSF, schools and Further Education colleges were present to provide extra guidance on the Reforms. They also offered advice on how to respond to potentially difficult questions.

Each briefing session was 90 minutes long. It included:

  • a 60-minute presentation that outlined the rationale behind the Reforms and explained the key strands
  • high-impact videos including testimonies from employers, teachers and students
  • up to 30 minutes at the end for audience questions
  • reading material for people to take away, which also directed them to the 14–19 Reform website.

Outcomes

Since June 2009, EdComs has been working with the DCSF, JMW and Kreate to encourage take-up of the final phase of Briefings.

Over 1,000 institutions received Briefing presentations. They included:

  • over 1700 schools
  • 199 colleges
  • 34 universities
  • 56 local authorities.

Briefing sessions were free for all of these institutions.

EdComs managed a dedicated phone line and email account to administer the sessions.

We captured a detailed profile of each educational institution, providing essential contextual information for the facilitators who deliver the Briefings. Ultimately the profile ensured that each Briefing was delivered sensitively, incorporating local knowledge into the presentation. It helped us to:

  • see how the Reforms were being delivered in each setting
  • establish the levels of awareness among the workforce, and
  • articulate any issues regarding the local implementation of the Reforms.

We ensured that the right people in each institution attended the Briefing. We therefore supported briefing hosts in selecting the right local stakeholders to attend. These included business links and local-authority contacts. Their presence enhanced the nature of the discussion that took place after the formal Briefing had been delivered.