East Renfrewshire: Super Spark Initiative
What is this?
A three-year programme to support disaffected young people in secondary schools in East Renfrewshire to ensure their inclusion. Spark of Genius (Training) Limited will work with schools to educate young people who are of school leaving age, in school and in the community. Spark will also work with them in post school situations.
FLaT involvement?
FLaT support is provided to explore the possibilities of working with young people in an inclusive setting, but giving the same kind of e-focus programme which Spark of Genius make provision for currently. FLaT support will ensure that young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties have better possibilities of raising attainment and achievement levels.
Links with National Priorities?
1. Achievement & Attainment;
2. Framework for Learning;
3. Inclusion and Equality;
4. Values and Citizenship;
5. Learning for Life.
Project aims?
- To include disaffected young people in mainstream secondary schools
- To ensure less exclusions from schools
- To tackle youth and community offending
- To cement a partnership between the Council and Spark of Genius
- To provide materials which can contribute to inclusion and can be shared with other schools
- To provide a prototype for inclusion
Project outcomes?
- There will be higher attainment from a hard to reach group of young people
- There will be better inclusion of children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in schools
- There will be less community offending
- There will be less social justice problems within school and outwith school
- The young people involved will, at the end, be better adjusted citizens
- The young people involved will have better employability prospects
- The good practice in supporting young people in mainstream schools will be shared
- There will be better support for teachers and for schools through the programme
Timescale?
The project started in January 2005 and will conclude in December 2007.
Level of Support?
FLaT support is a grant of £600,000 plus the costs of external evaluation.
Who are the evaluation team?
Not yet appointed.
Contact person:
Ian Fraser, Head of Education Services (Children and Young People), East Renfrewshire Council, Education Department, 211 Main Street, Barrhead G78 1SY. Tel: 0141 577 3252. Email: ian.fraser@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk