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 are:
- 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 trained 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. 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 is 90 minutes long. It includes:
- a 60-minute presentation that outlines the rationale behind the Reforms and explains 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 directs 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.
To date, 1,057 institutions have received Briefing presentations. They include:
- over 1,700 schools
- 199 colleges
- 34 universities
- 56 local authorities.
Briefing sessions are free for all of these institutions. They will be delivered until December 2009.
EdComs manages a dedicated phone line and email account to administer the sessions.
We capture a detailed profile of each educational institution, providing essential contextual information for the facilitators who deliver the Briefings. Ultimately the profile ensures that each Briefing is delivered sensitively, incorporating local knowledge into the presentation. It helps us to:
- see how the Reforms are 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 ensure that the right people in each institution attend the Briefing. We therefore support briefing hosts in selecting the right local stakeholders to attend. These include business links and local-authority contacts. Their presence enhances the nature of the discussion that takes place after the formal Briefing has been delivered.