Soft Market Test for Pre 16 Vocational course

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Cornwall Council wants to work together with partner(s) to provide the best education provision for pupils who are at risk of being excluded from mainstream school due to behavioural and/or Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) reasons.

A significant number of pupils are struggling to attend school, many due to emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and these pupils are at risk of being suspended and excluded from mainstream education. A high proportion of these pupils are in Year 10 or 11 which is crucial time to secure a pathway to Post-16 education or employment.

There is a recognition for a varied curriculum which will help these pupils to engage in education and provide a base for Post-16 qualifications whilst enabling them to continue to access education and take their GCSEs in English and Mathematics.

Cornwall Council are looking to work together with partner(s) to provide a vocational offer which will support these pupils to not only continue their learning, but also to reduce the risk of suspensions and exclusions and provide a clear pathway of education from Key Stage 4 through to Post-16.

Cornwall Council Piloted a Pre 16 vocational course in the West of the county. The incumbent provider has been running a pilot throughout the school years 2023-24 and 2024-2025 and the reported results have been positive.

The current provision consists of a 3-day vocational education where the pupil remains on roll at their base school to complete their Maths and English GCSEs 2 days per week.

The pilot caters for 15 young people in Key stage 4 (years 10 to 11). Who are places in 3 cohorts, sizes are dependant on the need of the pupils.

Due to the pilot being successful. Cornwall Council wish to formally identify any potentially interested parties that are able to meet the requirement and have suitable locations throughout Cornwall ready to commence the service on 1st September 2025.

Cornwall council would like for the provision to offer 36 - 54 placements for pupils from Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11) across 3 sites, ensuring a fair geographical spread of the service across Cornwall.

The offers should

• Provide Vocational courses, of which the subjects are to be in line with the pupils' post 16 study.
• be broad, balanced, stimulating, relevant curriculum.
• Be flexible with cohort sizes and ensure that they place pupils depending on their needs and support.
• Support Pupils to consistently attend the Vocational course and increase attendance at the Base School on the relevant days to demonstrate that overall attendance has improved since the intervention.
• Provide a minimum of one of tutor who is appropriately skilled and trained in the subject, and one teaching assistant per cohort of students.
• Provide staff who are appropriately qualified to deliver the type of course and subjects.
• Ensure staff following an appropriate selection process and will only commence their duties once all legislative and DBS checks have been undertaken.
• Support Yr. 11 Pupils to achieve an accredited Level 1 qualification in their chosen post 16 subject.
• Provide a clear pathway for Yr. 11 students to move into Post-16 provision.
• Fulfil OFSTED minimum requirements for educational settings.
• Have a Behaviour and Discipline Strategy that promotes a positive behaviour support ethos throughout.
• Support and develop Young People's employability skills: post 16 destinations will reflect this, whether into further education or accredited training within employment.

Courses can include but not restricted to:

Hair and Beauty

Construction

Mechanics

Tourism

Sport

Catering and Hospitality

Horticulture

Referrals for the provision will be through Cornwall councils Belonging team, to ensure the correct placements and support are put in place.