This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Schools-business alliance
20/02/2006
Scotland's most successful business and education leaders have teamed up to spearhead efforts to reduce the number of school leavers who find themselves not in education, employment or training.
This group of disadvantaged young Scots has been identified as a national priority by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. And a new partnership set up under the leadership of Sir Robert Smith has reached the same conclusion.
Speaking on a visit to Dumbarton's Our Lady and St Patrick's RC High School, First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Today, I am announcing a major extension of the unique partnership approach which has delivered Determined to Succeed so well in Scotland. The Smith Group will build on that approach, but bring new energy and focus to tackling under achievement amongst those who lose out on the opportunities available in Scotland today.
"For the majority of pupils, Scottish schools are delivering more opportunities and better results. There are new and improved school buildings, small class sizes, with more staff, new options and activities in, and outwith school, and higher exam achievements.
"We are also leading the UK on Enterprise Education. The Determined to Succeed programme is bringing the ideas of enterprise and ambition to every youngster in Scotland. Showing our young people that they can have ideas above their station - and helping them believe that they can be all they can be.
"Much of this change is done through excellent headteachers, inspiring staff and the pupils and parents themselves. But to tackle the most difficult problems we need new ideas and we need everyone who wants to help, to come on board.
"At school, and beyond school, I want our efforts to be focussed on closing gaps in opportunity.
"That means new chances for these youngsters, and if they fail or are falling behind, more chances. It means recognising that their failure is our failure. Their disengagement costs much more economically and socially than the cost of support and learning.
"The Deputy First Minister will announce our action plan for those not in education, employment or training over the next few weeks.
"We are agreed that this group of disengaged youngsters are a national priority. And today we underline our committment by engaging with some of Scotland's most successful business figures, replacing the Schools Enterprise Board by a new group. They will help drive the strategy and monitor its implementation."
Key to this will be:
- More vocational courses in schools and with colleges, developing skills for work and motivating young people
- Additional careers advice based in schools, targeted on those who need it most
- A joined up approach from all the volunteers and professionals involved
- Long term change through early intervention, pre school education and support for those in care
The First Minister continued:
"If we want to transform young lives, we need whole school transformations, through schools of ambition. We need to join up work to stem the flow of young people not in education, employment or training pre 16, with chances, opportunities, and support, post 16. And we need the private, public and voluntary sector to work together, develop new ideas and harness Scotland's energy and enterprise."
The First Minister was joined in Dunbarton by members of The Smith Group, including Sir Tom Hunter.
The Smith Group met for the first time in March 2005. It did so following the First Minister's request to Sir Robert Smith to establish a group comprising senior figures from business alongside educators at both school and local authority level. The aim was that the Group maintain oversight of implementation of the Determined to Succeed and Schools of Ambition strategies and, more generally offer help, support and challenge to the education reform agenda.
The group comprises at present:
- Sir Robert Smith, Chair
- Willie Haughey, City Refrigeration
- Sir Tom Hunter, West Coast Capital/The Hunter Foundation
- Jim McColl, Clyde Blowers
- Chris van der Kuyl, Tayforth Consulting
- Ewan Aitken, Education Convenor, COSLA
- Roy Jobson, Director of Children's Services, City of Edinburgh
- John Mulgrew, Director of Children's Services, East Ayrshire Council
- Peter Galloway, CBE, Head Teacher, Trinity Academy, Edinburgh
- Christine Wilson, Head Teacher, Langside Primary, Glasgow
The Group has so far met on three occasions They have successfully suggested a pilot that sees additional career advisor resources placed in school (with a view to improving leaver destinations). At their last meeting, following a lead from Sir Tom Hunter, they became fixed on the issue of young people that are, or risk becoming, NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
Determined to Succeed (DtS) is an £86 million long-term strategy that aims to prepare all young people for the world of work through enterprising and entrepreneurial learning, work-based vocational learning and appropriately focused career education. There are teams in place throughout all 32 Scottish local authorities to ensure delivery from 2003 - 2008.
DtS and Business Engagement:
- National Partnerships with major employers in private and public sectors; and 'Business Champions' in all major business member organisations
- Entrepreneurial Exchange 'School Link' programme, partnering over 30 Entrepreneurial Exchange members with schools
Other work:
Three leading charities - Prince's Trust for Scotland (PTS), Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) and the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) - were invited by Determined to Succeed Division and The Hunter Foundation to develop the Xlerate Programme - a pilot project to improve educational and employment outcomes for young people who are not motivated by the formal curriculum
The Schools of Ambition programme - is supporting schools to transform. The programme seeks to instil belief and ambition in pupils, extend their opportunities and transform their life chances. The Scottish Executive is committed to achieving improvements in education throughout Scotland and backing great ideas from schools that will help them transform the experience of their pupils.