Rob Williamson SGI Co-ordinator Connexions Kent & Medway St. Michael’s house St. Michael’s Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 3SW Tel: Presentation Nine: The Area Prospectus and CAP, afternoon session.

Agenda History of Kent & Medway involvement in Area Prospectus and online applications Evaluation What makes it work in Kent

Kent and Medway Two authorities Grammar schools Kent largest UK local Authority, broken down by LSC into 10 Planning Forum Areas 23 Local Children’s Services Partnerships

Medway 2003 strategic review of Medway Paper prospectus and paper monitoring of September Guarantee led to: VIS electronic prospectus and online applications pilot Live online applications in Medway and in three Kent planning forum areas

: Medway Area prospectus and online applications provided by VIS. Managed by the Local Authority. Kent Area Prospectus supplied by S-cool and Managed by Connexions

Challenge created by switch of prospectus supplier Six months to populate Area Prospectus to meet September 2007 deadline No online application software at time of winning contract Keeping momentum Two systems across Kent and Medway

Evaluation 2007 – Planning Forum 40% of Year 11 cohort Key findings: Learner interaction Introduction to website best done in a structured session in school Introduction part of a broader CEG programme Attention given to selection of passwords Support available at key times Access to the internet Learners must have access to their online accounts at the earliest point at which local providers are accepting applications

Consistency From providers, schools and PAs regarding how to apply Course information Training Must be thorough and ongoing Software shortcomings Where to begin?

Learner Feedback % of learners thought that as a result of kentchoices4u.com they were more aware of their post 16 options 75% thought it had been easy or very easy to apply online 66% of learners preferred to apply online

Learner Feedback They liked: drafting applications online the ability to send applications to more than one provider Information being in one place, but where critical of the quality of information by some providers and some thought it was a safe method of applying

Usage Area prospectus over 55,000 hits 4300 learners applied online – 61% of total eligible 78% activated their online accounts 3647 offers received online Learners made on average 1.6 applications 82% of learners with an offer only held one offer

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Impact on September Guarantee and NEETs By July 08, 98% online application schools offer detail captured compared to 37% from paper application schools Evaluation report to be revisited when November NEET stats established

Comparison NEET totals Oct 07 & Oct 08 Area NEET numbers NEET numbers Number increases/ decrease In PeriodOct-07Oct-08 Ashford Canterbury Dartford Dover Folkestone Gravesend Maidstone Swale Thanet Tonbridge

Planning forum areas and one consortium involved 60% or Kent Year 11 (11,300 learners) Usage 3 rd Nov 08 to date 14,170 hits 4607 unlocked their accounts 673 learners have made an application

Comparison of hits th Nov & 08-09

What makes it work in Kent? A clearly defined rationale Buy in at senior and local level Consultation Impartiality Customer care

Senior buy in Strategic Partnership Kent County Council, Connexions & L.S.C. College Principals Work Based Learning Steering Group County NEET strategy

Local buy in: Strategy of gradual roll out across Kent, via Planning Forums requiring buy in of every school within that area. Planning Forums – Head teachers Operational forums – Deputies Teaching staff

Consultation Software development Work with FE colleges Work with schools Work based learning providers

Impartiality Our role is to reflect their practices, not impose a new centralised system. Schools control their area of the Area Prospectus, their application processes and timetable Positive impact on quality of application process

Customer Care Area Prospectus Team (4 membersof staff) Local Training Area events individual ongoing training Limited admin support Telephone support

A possible vision for Kent A secure platform with flexible services supporting primary school learners through to key stage 5 Interoperability Single sign

Challenges Logistics of over 60% Yr 11 eligible for online applications Engaging remaining areas Cross border issues Engaging learners on fringes mainstream education Embedding online applications/ September Guarantee into school and Connexion’s work practice and other NEET strategies