Background

WHAT IS VESA?

• VESA was established in 1994 as the Vocational Education Support Agency to support the development of the Vocational Curriculum.
• In 1999, the focus for VESA support services widened to help Schools and Colleges prepare for Curriculum 2000 and new flexibility at Key Stage 4.
• VESA's service remit widened further still in 2001/02 (from 14-19 to 13-19) in response to the emerging national Key Stage 3 strategy and the growing importance of Year 9 in preparing students for effective transition into the 14-19 phase.
• VESA is now well-placed to support Schools & Colleges in their response to the challenges & opportunities arising from:
  - the 14-19 White Paper proposals
  - the new collaborative Zones & Area Partnership Planning Groups in Leicester + shire

As a well-established local partnership organisation, VESA has a strong record in the following areas:

• a unique voice to inform & encourage strategic planning on 13 -19 issues & developments
• a range of services & initiatives to support the development of quality 13-19 provision

VESA's MISSION
Through collaboration & partnership, VESA will support

• excellence in 13 -19 curriculum & staff development
• high quality experiences to enhance student achievement & progression into, through & beyond the 13 -19 phase

VESA's KEY AIMS

• To raise levels of achievement by improving student choice, experience & continuity of learning.
• To enhance School & FE sector College effectiveness
• To contribute effectively to local 13 -19 strategic planning & implementation of provision

OBJECTIVES

• Provide a wide range of opportunities & choices for students
• Provide development & training networks for teachers, lecturers & trainers
• Share good practice, expertise & resources
• Support the implementation of national, regional & local initiatives
• Promote collaborative solutions to 13 - 19 challenges and issues

To see a complete listing of all vesa services and functions please click on icon below

VESA documentation

Past editions of the VESA termly newsletter

KEY THEMES AND AREAS OF SPECIALISM

1 Work-related learning and vocational education curriculum and staff development

• providing, with partners, advisory support for the implementation of Statutory WRL at KS4
• developing and co-ordinating formal accreditation for WrL achievements through the Leicestershire Personal Development Programme (LPDP - formerly WrAP)
• co-ordinating VGCSE/VCE/GNVQ curriculum development, providing advisory support etc

2 13-19 Collaborative curriculum and staff development support services

• collaborative infrastructure: networks, support & development groups
• annual staff conference programme (x 8)
• student vocational conferences (x 5)

3 Widening Participation through "Aimhigher"

• a wide range of enhancement experiences for students aimed at raising aspirations and motivation to progress to HE
• co-ordinating outreach work by FE and HE institutions to increase student attainment levels (including the most able)
• helping to develop vocational, work-related and work-based progression routes through to HE

4 Widening Participation through links with FE & WBL providers & increasing flexibility at KS4 (IF)

• co-ordinating collaborative provision between FE sector colleges and local schools
• anchoring Leicester IF Partnerships and supporting 4 x County Partnerships
• collaborative curriculum innovation and development to harness FE/WBL providers as a resource

5 Combatting disaffection and promoting social inclusion (through Future Pathways etc.)

• “Future Pathways” framework and consortium
• menu of off-site placements with FE, trainers, employers
• alternative programmes; curriculum and staff development

6 Work Experience : Co-ordination of collaborative provision, development and support (through Leicester/shire Work Experience Alliance: WEXA)

• VESA Work Experience Placement Service
• extended work and training placements, tailored placements
• co-ordination of Leicestershire-wide employer visiting, health and safety vetting etc.

7 Progress File, ILPs and the Personal Development Curriculum

• 4 local phase consortia supporting development and roll-out of Progress File

(KS3, KS4, Post-16 and SEN)
• ILP pilot project to develop a local model for Leicester/shire linked to Progress File
• Key Stage 3 Framework “Support Pack”
• co-ordination of Post-16 Citizenship and links with KS4 to foster 13 -19 coherence

Contextual Information

VESA is well-placed to support Schools & Colleges in their response to the challenges & opportunities arising from:

• the 14-19 Education & Skills White Paper
• the creation of the new collaborative Zones & Area Partnership Planning Groups in Leicester+shire

• VESA operates as part of the Leicestershire and Leicester City Learning Partnership’s support infrastructure, delivering 13-19 support services and anchoring various local, regional and national projects and developments.
• VESA provides support for Leicester/shire’s Increased Flexibility Partnerships on behalf of Leicestershire LSC.
• VESA works closely in partnership with a range of organisations to provide specialist support for 13-19 curriculum and staff development. These partners include:
  - Leicester and Leicestershire LEAs
  - Leicestershire Connexions
  - Leicestershire Education Business Company
  - De Montfort, Leicester and Loughborough Universities .
• VESA is also a partner in the Leicestershire Consortium for Education Business Links, a local partnership working to develop and provide more coherent support for Education Business Links and work-related learning in our area.