The Scottish Government

« Previous | Contents | Next »

Listen

Appendix 2 Discussion Guide DtS and Before

DtS 119154: DtS and Before: Final

1. Research background and introductions (5 mins)

• Introduce self and TNS System Three
• Independent research agency. Confidentiality - tape recording. MRS standards.
• Interview to last c.1 hour
• Purpose of interview: would like to ask them about their experiences with schools and how they view the role of Enterprise in schools. This will offer the opportunity for businesses to contribute potential improvements to the processes involved. Also will provide an opportunity to assess impact of DtS strategy given you have been involved in EinE with schools prior to the strategy's launch in 2003.
• Introduction
• Nature of business/organisation, size, how long established
• Role within business / Role relating specifically to EinE

2. Relationship with school - (20 mins) NOTE: THESE BUSINESSES WILL HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT LONG-STANDING INVOLVEMENT WITH EinE ACTIVITY WITH SCHOOLS

• Why involved with schools? Explore.
• Current EinE activity with school / school pupils. Explore.
• Type of activity(s)
• Length of time involved.
• Who involved: From business? From school?
• How is the relationship managed?
• Type of pupil involved with? Age / interests / personality type?
• Any change over time / last couple of years? Explore.
• What previous activities have they been involved in?
• Awareness of any change in approach / EinE strategy from:
• Schools
• Local Authorities
• Scottish Executive
• How successful do you think the experience(s) have been with the school? For both school and your business? SPONT. THEN:
• Highs / lows from perspective of:
  • Pupil / School / Business
• What good does it do? For who? Regarding contacts with pupils? How? How do they evaluate the benefits of EinE?
• Rationale for above? How know successful or otherwise? How does this feel? Explore.
• Any improvements? Features / areas / procedures that would make the process easier?
• From: Scottish Executive / schools / themselves?

3. Determined to succeed - (20 mins)

MODERATOR NOTE: THE INTERVIEWEE HAS BEEN SENT A LEAFLET 'engage' BY THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE AND POINTED TOWARD THE DtS WEBSITE PRIOR TO INTERVIEW.

• Initial thoughts. SPONT. THEN:
• Knowledge about DtS. Explore.
• Areas of interest / contention etc. Explore.
• High / low points of strategy.
• Specifics:
• Probe fully.
• How do they understand the terms "enterprise" and "entrepreneurial activity", themselves, and when working together with schools?
• Where do they see EinE fitting with other more traditional subjects? PROBE: what about in terms of the work-based vocational element of DtS?
• How compare with previous EinE strategies?
• CHECK: can name any previous strategies?
• How would you change / modify / develop / improve strategy? Explore.

NOTE: MODERATOR TO HAND OUT SHEET OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THE BUSINESS CAN GET INVOLVED WITH THE SCHOOL (TAKEN FROM PARTNERSHIP TEMPLATE DOCUMENT)

• Thoughts on this? Likely to engage? Which ways? Explore.
• Which category do they 'fit' into
• DtS - how does this work for them? How do they engage with the strategy? Explore.
• SPONT. THEN PROBE:
• 'Fit' of plan / DtS strategy objective with their own plans / processes for DtS?
• How affect ways in which they approach EinE / engaging with pupils?
• Thoughts on 'formalising' relationship in this way. Explore.
• Any contact from other people about EinE / DtS? SPONT:
• Scottish Executive / Local Authority?
• Explore contact.
• Awareness of partnership agreement between schools and businesses? ( NOTE: THIS COULD BE LOCAL / REGIONAL / NATIONAL)?
• Discuss plan / contract if applicable.
• What think about approach from authorities? How does this work? How does this feel?
• Improvements

4. Communication and marketing (5 mins)

• What information received so far? SPONT. THEN:
• PROBE ON 'engage' newsletter. NOTE: MODERATOR TO SHOW INTERVIEWEE COPY IF REQUIRED. ALL BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN SENT THIS.
  • Seen before?
  • Thoughts?
  • Thoughts on type of information included. Explore.
• Repeat above process for website (AND ANY OTHER MATERIAL AS APPROPRIATE)
• What type of information required? SPONT. THEN:
• Updates on policy
• New ideas for engaging with schools
• Case studies
• Anything else?
• How wish to be kept in touch?
• Best channel?

5. The future (10 mins)

• To what extent have they developed a greater understanding of education through DtS/ EinE activities? How.
• How do you perceive your involvement in EinE in future?
• In order to develop more enterprise opportunities with the school, how could your business/organisation do this?
• What would be the best ways in which to do this?
• Could the school do anything more to achieve this?
• Can the Local Authority / Scottish Executive do more?
• Would you require any additional support in order to achieve this?
• How committed do you feel the school / Local Authority / Scottish Executive is to forging closer links between schools and business. To the wider local community? Explore.

How could more businesses become involved?

• Anything to add?

THANK AND CLOSE

« Previous | Contents | Next »