14-19 Learning Pathways: Wider Choice and Flexibility

The Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 places a duty on Local Authorities for pre 16 learners and on Welsh ministers for post 16 learners in maintained schools or Further Education institutions, to provide access to a local curriculum. The rules regarding the breadth and range of this local provision are detailed in WAG guidance but essentially the 14-19 Learning Pathways agenda requires that learners should be able to select from a wide range of options leading to a range of “formal” qualifications. They should also have access to opportunities in applied or general forms in order to recognise their learning styles and enable them to experience success. Local 14-19 networks should also provide a “Prospectus of Activities” outlining the range of non-formal and informal opportunities available within an area.

Agored Cymru is well placed to offer learning providers a range of provision across levels and sectors and across formal, non formal and informal routes to meet the specific needs of the Welsh 14-19 Learning Pathways agenda. Such provision can often help young people succeed where more traditional routes can fail, can widen opportunities and enable progression.  The units and qualifications are credit-based, and flexible enough to reach learners in any setting – from schools to FE and from offender learning to learning in the workplace.

Supporting the 14-19 Learning Pathways agenda is a key priority for Agored Cymru. Currently credit based provision exists across such sectors as:

• Health, Public Service sand Care;
• Science and Mathematics;
• Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care;
• Engineering and Manufacturing Technology;
• Construction Planning and the Built Environment;
• ICT;
• Retail and Commercial Enterprise;
• Sport, Leisure, Recreation, Travel and Tourism;
• Arts, Media and Publishing;
• History, Philosophy and Theology;
• Social Sciences;
• Languages, Literature and Culture;
• Skills for Life;
• Business Administration and Law.

We are currently working to review our provision in this area and additional information regarding new qualifications and credits will be available shortly from the Agored Cymru website. However in the meantime if you would like to find out more about units and qualifications available, or about working with Agored Cymru please complete an initial enquiry form - available on the website here. If you would prefer to have an informal chat before completing the form please ring 02920 747866 or 01248 670011 and ask for a member of the Business Development team

If you would like to discuss the strategic elements of the 14-19 education agenda for your organisation, please contact Dafydd Baker, Curriculum Development Manager (Learning Pathways)