Researching learner and parent attitudes towards the Diploma in the South Cotswold Partnership

26 February

A partnership in Gloucestershire has commissioned a piece of research to find out what learner and parent’s attitudes are to collaborative working in the area. The South Cotswold Partnership consists of three 11-16 schools, one 11-18 school, a further education (FE) college and a higher education institution (HEI). At the heart of the partnership is the desire to offer pathways for all learners now as well as planning for the future with the introduction of the Diplomas and other pathways.

The partnership wanted to gain a clear picture of learner and parent knowledge and understanding of the Diplomas as well as their attitudes to collaborative working, such as being taught on another school site, or travelling from their first choice of school to another partner to continue their chosen pathway.

Staff within the partnership did not have the capacity to carry out such an extensive piece of work.
Redbox Research was commissioned to carry out the research as they had previously been used by a colleague in education with good results.

All Year 8 learners across the partnership and their parents were targeted. Learners completed an online questionnaire during one of their ICT lessons and parents were given a paper version. The partnership co-ordinator conducted an assembly in each school to highlight what the aims were and the opportunities this year group would have access to. Learners took home an envelope for their parents containing a letter from the school explaining the process, a questionnaire and a leaflet on Diplomas produced by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Responses were then collected centrally in each school before being analysed.

The findings provided the partnership with information on:

• Diploma awareness
• levels of understanding about the details of Diplomas
• information, advice and guidance (IAG) sources
• information that learners and parents desired
• interest levels per Diploma (including a breakdown by gender)
• views on travel
• aspirations.

This information has helped to inform both partnership and county-wide planning in Gloucestershire.

The partnership has offered collaborative provision for the past five years with 150 learners following partnership courses in Key Stage 4 each year. The research confirmed that parents understand the value of this if it is right for their child. They welcomed the opportunity to allow learners to study a wider range of specialist subjects to enable them to remain engaged in their studies.

Chris Germaine, South Cotswold Partnership Co-ordinator, commented, "The importance of impartial information, advice and guidance is crucial to pupils making an informed decision. Within the partnership we wanted to establish what pupils and parents already knew about the curriculum changes within the 14-19 agenda so we were in a position to address their concerns as necessary. The places available are keenly sought after and are always oversubscribed.

In order to move forward we had to establish a baseline, which our research has done for us. We are now in a position to plan for Gateway 5 and beyond in order to meet the needs of our learners and to reassure their parents where required."

For further information contact Chris Germaine, South Cotswold Partnership Co-ordinator on chris.germaine@deerparkschool.net or 01285 653447. www.southcotswoldpartnership.org.uk