CFE is at heart of new curriculum for teenagers

STAYING on at school is being made worthwhile. Guernsey trails the UK in the percentage who continue beyond GSCE level and is currently the only place in the British Isles that allows pupils to leave at 15, although that will be changed.

The newly-formed Lifelong Learning Advisory Committee is backing the provision of new facilities at the College of Further Education to provide more options for school leavers, a new curriculum geared to 14 to 19-year-olds and raising the school-leaving age.

'There has been a culture of early leavers in the island for many years and a great number of people leaving school without any qualifications, which should not happen here,' said committee chairman Wendy Morgan.

'With virtually full employment on the island, young people leaving school at 15 can usually find a job, but the problem is that although they are happy to be earning some money, their ability to move up the career ladder is made difficult by their lack of qualifications.'

The latest figures show that 12% of all Year 10 students do not continue into Year 11 and more leave before sitting their GCSEs.

The aim of raising the leaving age to 16 in 2008 is to encourage pupils to stay in education in the long run.

The long lead-in time is intended to prepare students.

When a child does not want to take the academic route, the committee envisages that they will have opportunities to do courses which are more vocational, even pre-GSCE, so the extra year will not be wasted.

'Education is education wherever it is done and a lot of the courses for 14- to 16-year-olds will be geared to students being out of school for at least part of the time, when similar subjects might just be covered in a different way,' said Mrs Morgan.

'If development plans go ahead, there will be a much wider spectrum for pupils, more flexibility and

better mix of courses, some being vocational.

'We want to make sure that people who are not academic have access to courses and just as high a chance of success.

'Research shows that young people who continue their education into Year 11 are more likely to commit to post-16 courses,' she added.

Mrs Morgan described the College of Further Education as the prime mover in encouraging young people to stay in education and ultimately to raise standards in the island, although it would work closely with schools, the Youth Service and others.

In the first phase of its proposed redevelopment, new courses such as music technology, lighting, set design and other drama-related subjects will be introduced. Currently the youngest student is 15 and the oldest, 86, is taking an IT course.

'We are trying to develop a curriculum that offers a broad range of subjects and will get young people to re-engage with education,' said college principal Trevor Wakefield.

'We also want to put out as many hooks as we can so that people can access learning and to take an inclusive policy. We take students of any ability and aim to match them to a suitable course.

'It can be very rewarding and exciting to see people develop their self-esteem and to realise their potential.'

The college aims to encourage people through vocational courses and apprenticeships, link courses its higher education strand and also by providing adult education and basic skills learning.

The committee also has plans to go out into the community and look at the needs of the whole island, especially at people who are illiterate but might be ashamed of their lack of education.

'We need to offer students improved facilities and alternative courses that will keep them interested in education and give them the opportunity to earn some valuable qualifications and life skills,' said Mrs Morgan.

'But we must also persuade the wider community of the benefits of education and training and their role in creating a prosperous and successful island economy.'

'The finance sector is attracting older students and those who have qualifications, so that it can compete in the global market,' said Alun Williams, lifelong learning manager.

'There is evidence to show that for communities to be cohesive and prosperous, education and training are keys.'

He said that 61% of students continued in full-time education post-16, compared to 71% in the UK. Although Guernsey still lagged, the local figure had risen from 56% in 1998.

'We have to get a workforce that have the skills to do the jobs,' he said.

The Education Council will also review the Tomlinson Report into broadening the post-16 curriculum and proposals for the new 14-19 curriculum in the UK.