Skip to main content

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Volume 474: debated on Tuesday 1 April 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to encourage schools to collaborate in the delivery of the 14 to 19 curriculum; and if he will make a statement. (195597)

We offer a range of support to support stronger collaboration. We have a well-established and successful programme of Learning Visits sharing good practice on collaborating to deliver 14-19 reforms; 142 local authorities have attended at least one Learning Visit. Three of our strongest 14-19 areas have been awarded beacon council status, and are being used to disseminate good practice, including bespoke consultancy support to those areas that need more intensive support. We also share good practice via the departmental website and publications, including specific work on developing collaborative arrangements and planning 14-19 provision locally. In addition, we are looking to strengthen 14-19 partnerships by introducing legislation about local cooperation on 14-19 education in the Education and Skills Bill now before Parliament. The legislation provides the opportunity to signal the importance of collaboration between local partners.