Education and training services

Description

Welcome to Kirklees: ESOL: Communicate and connect is a response to the ‘Controlling migration fund: mitigating the impacts of immigration on local communities’. Communicate and connect will provide neighbourhood based outreach provision. The aim is to support migrants to learn English Language skills that will enable them to integrate, adults to engage effectively with schools, make connections locally and live life in Kirklees/ the UK. The strand is also focused on supporting young people aged 14-16 to develop their English further, allowing them to better access the core curriculum delivered by mainstream education providers. Proposals were invited by the Council of the Borough of Kirklees (the “Council”) from shortlisted Capable Delivery Partners currently on Category 3 – English language support for English speakers of other languages (ESOL) of the Council’s dynamic purchasing system for the Provision of education, training, employment and lifelong learning (REF: KMCIRS-064). Finding appropriate provision for young people without English language skills arriving in Kirklees in Year 11 is of particular concern, especially for those arriving from January onwards. Year 11 students already in schools are working towards their GCSE examinations which are 2-3 year programmes making it hard for a young person to integrate into a Year 11 curriculum and creating a situation in which resources are taken from those young people from the host community. Our proposal is that young people have the opportunity to concentrate on their ESOL skills for an extended period of time through to the September start date for Post 16 courses. This approach will enable accurate assessment, effective ESOL teaching and supported progression onto appropriate pathways and provision Post 16. The aim of this provision is to ensure that pupils' English is developed allowing them to better access the core curriculum delivered by mainstream education providers. ESOL work provision delivered under this contract should enhance any ESOL provision commissioned by schools. There are 3 distinct strands of activity required for this lot: 1) 2017 – 18 Academic year — Summer term Upon contract commencement the successful provider will prioritise work with the current Year 11 cohort to support ESOL. It is anticipated that this will respond to the needs of schools and look to underpin mainstream learning. The aim of this strand is to support students in reaching their potential and unlocking progression routes that ordinarily they may not be able to achieve. As part of this provision students should be given the opportunity to revisit mainstream outside of the formal classroom environment learning to check understanding. Young people in Year 10 or 11 who are new to Kirklees and whose level of English is preventing progress being made. It is anticipated that pupils engaged with this provision are likely to be receiving ESOL support commissioned by schools. This provision is not intended to be a replacement, and instead should look to add value to school ESOL provision. 2) Holiday transition provision Short summer programmes of activity will be put in place to help develop language skills and to support transitions to College or other progression routes. 3) 2018 - 19 Academic year Provision will be available to support students in both Years 10 and 11 and will run for the full academic year and have the capacity to support up to 20 students at any given point in time. Subject to demand provision should be available for the equivalent of up to 2 days a week. The successful provider should be able to ensure delivery in both North and South Kirklees. It is envisaged that pupils will attend provision for the equivalent of one day a week or in exceptional circumstances based on need as agreed with the school for a maximum of two days. Supporting individuals to speak even basic conversational English as soon as possible on entry to Kirklees is fundamental in ensuring successful integration and ensuring the best use of resources. Translation services are expensive and extend the amount of time that services need to support an individual, therefore in the longer term as learners progress, developing ESOL skills will reduce pressure on other services. The project will include working with learning providers including key voluntary and community sector groups to establish a Welcome to Kirklees programme of ESOL so that migrants in Kirklees can access a programme of ESOL including orientation and integration and ensuring new arrivals understand how to access key services in a timely way, as well as building confidence and support in understanding what life is like in the UK, Kirklees and their immediate community. Provision will include the following as a minimum: — Engagement activity which is innovative and welcoming to help motivate learners to continue with more formal (non-accredited) ESOL activity. — Signposting and links with the Welcome to Kirklees – Communicate and Connect provision (currently being tendered under KMCIRS064 - 001, run by volunteers and ESOL champions). — Initial assessment for all learners to establish current knowledge and to support differentiation throughout provision. In addition, where it is thought that access to informal ESOL provision (Talk English) would also be beneficial, learners will be supported to engage with this in parallel. — 2 elements to learning: —— ESOL — this will support approximately 100 people, delivered across a minimum of 10 courses. It is expected that there will be a minimum of 8 people and a maximum of 12 on each course. These courses should provide approximately 60 Guided learning hours (GLH) (with a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of 8 hours per week). —— Parenting in England ESOL – this will support approximately 50 people, delivered across a minimum of 5 courses. It is expected that there will be a minimum of 8 people and a maximum of 12 on each course. These should be for 50 at least GLH (with a minimum of 5 hours and a maximum of 8 hours per week). It is expected that these will be delivered in school venues where possible and will help parents in understanding the UK school system, and supporting their child in education. — Celebration and progression workshops following the ESOL or Parenting ESOL provision. This should encompass support to help learners to identify next steps and where they can access further support/ learning. — In addition it is expected that some learners will want to continue supporting the provision and become an ESOL champion in their community. These will be identified at the progression workshop and Champion training will be available. This provision should last a minimum of 5 GLH and be run over at least 5 courses. The target group is Asylum Seekers and migrants that cannot access existing mainstream ESOL provision in Kirklees.