Securing our Future
'Securing Our Future' will build on existing partnerships and good practice. OISSP proposes to raise standards of attainment and motivation of pupils and increase participation in science, mathematics and modern foreign languages (MFL). The project will draw on the principles of ‘Every Child Matters’, focusing on the need to equip all children with the skills and motivation to help them enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.
Oxfordshire has a buoyant economy for science and technology but the recent Economic Development Strategy for Oxfordshire 2006-16 warns that the regional economy is not growing as fast as should and is compromised by skills shortages.
However, the proximity of major scientific and research organisations and multi-nationals in Oxfordshire provides an ideal resource for OISSP to promote science education. The project proposes a secondary focus on maths as a complementary skill for success in science and technology and Modern Languages as necessary in the international workplace.
The project will promote MFL through the experience of vocational and applied language skills in internationally focused businesses.The project will aim to build on the success of vocationally oriented MFL curricula piloted in Pathfinder initiatives, relating its proposals to language learning in real contexts such as those suggested by the project’s key strands.
OISSP intends to develop a ‘Securing our Future Network’ comprising clusters of independent and maintained schools. These will act as a focus for mutual support, joint projects and dissemination within the wider network.Clusters will nominate a project champion to liaise between schools and the wider network. OISSP will provide co-ordination, promote interest, broker access to expertise and resources, support evaluation processes and disseminate good practice and project outcomes.At the start of the project all schools will receive a ‘Securing our Future’ voucher entitling them to participate in a selection of project Strands, depending on their need and stage of development.
The Oxford Trust (TOT) will be a key partner for the delivery and dissemination of the project.TOT has worked with schools and the science based business community in Oxfordshire to encourage the study and application of science for over 20 years.Since 2003 TOT has also been the SETPOINT for Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and is part of a UK network of 53 SETPOINTS operated nationally by SETNET, the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network.SETNET is a UK-wide charity that promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) awareness among young people and aims to ensure a flow of well-motivated young people into science and related careers.
The project will:
- Place upward pressure on the achievement and motivation of pupils
- Harness the resources of business and scientific and technological oriented organisations
- Secure the support and enthusiasm of the relevant communities eg parents
- Develop the skills and advocacy of teachers
OISSP will drive change and improvement by engaging with the four key groups of stakeholders.
The project has 7 strands which have partnership and sustainability as the binding principle, and reflect the OISSP community’s strategic aims, including the 14-19 strategy.
- Listening to the ‘voices’ of pupils, parents, teachers, science and technology practitioners and academics.
- Enrichment activities and projects
- Professional development for teachers and wider school workforce
- Development and provision of curriculum materials and resources to raise standards and improve motivation of pupils
- Careers Information, Advice and Guidance
- Piloting alternative and vocationally oriented curricula in MFL
- Evaluation and Dissemination
For upto date information on this project please see newsletter no. 3
To see details of our bid click here
