http://www.learningcoaches.net/news/ en mlong@glam.ac.uk Copyright 2008 2008-12-03T14:15:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/roll_out_of_neet_strategy/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/roll_out_of_neet_strategy/#When:14:15:00Z A successful pilot in the Llanelli area is aiming to use Learning Coaches to expand on its success. In September 2008, the Carmarthenshire NEET pilot team worked with teaching staff, school-based careers advisers and youth services outreach workers to identify Year 11 leavers who had not specified a destination or were at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). Members of the team contacted those who had not moved into education or training and arranged careers advice or offered them help to get into training.  2008-12-03T14:15:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/two_important_reports_published/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/two_important_reports_published/#When:17:08:00Z Both the Executive Summary and Full Report The Learning Coaches of Wales, compiled by Professor Danny Saunders of the University of Glamorgan on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, are now available. The reports represent the findings of detailed research into the first cohort to complete Learning Coach training in Wales, including surveys and case studies of the coaches and their learners, and should be of interest to all involved in education within the 14–19 range. Recommendations The Welsh Assembly Government’s developing strategy for implementing the Learning Coach function has taken account of many of the recommendations set out in this report, in partnership with Professor Saunders and with 14–19 Networks across Wales. Learning Coach support will be available for all 14–19 year olds learners over the next four years as the requirements of the proposed Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure are implemented. Emphasis on support The entitlement to Learning Coach support – as a function, rather than an individual coach – is one of the six key elements of Learning Pathways policy in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government believes this emphasis on support for learning as an entitlement for all 14-19 year olds learners is unique to Wales. This report forms an important record of this distinct development. The Learning Coaches of Wales (English) The Learning Coaches of Wales (Welsh) 2008-12-01T17:08:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/monmouthshire_pyramid_strategy/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/monmouthshire_pyramid_strategy/#When:09:47:00Z Monmouthshire 14-19 network has developed a three-stage ‘pyramid’ model for delivering learning coaching. This will focus the work of Recognised and Accredited Learning Coaches on those who need most intensive coaching while still providing support for those who need it less.  Stage 1 – for all The coaching will consist of individual, paired or group coaching once or twice a term. This will be linked to whole school learning reviews and target setting, as well as parents’ evenings and target setting days. It could be carried out by personal tutors in colleges or form tutors in schools, or other professionals such as learning support assistants or careers advisers. Although not Recognised Learning Coaches, those involved will have had enhanced training to carry out the function. Stage 2 – for some Coaching will be for individuals or in pairs at least once or twice a term, with access to ‘drop in’ support as and when required. This coaching could be carried out by Recognised Learning Coaches or others who have had enhanced training to carry out the function. Examples could be school progress leaders, school or college support and guidance staff, learning support assistants, Youth Gateway mentors or college learning advisers. Stage 3 – for the few This is specialist one-to-one coaching that occurs frequently, perhaps as often as once a week. All such coaching will be provided by Recognised or Accredited Learning Coaches. 2008-10-15T09:47:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/lc_yp_with_special_needs_caerphilly/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/lc_yp_with_special_needs_caerphilly/#When:13:34:00Z The challenges faced by young people with special needs differ substantially from those in mainstream schools. A Learning Coach in this setting is unlikely to be dealing with problems such as absenteeism or young people dropping out of education. Instead, issues such as housing, health, benefits, socialisation and work all need to be carefully considered, planned for and supported.  At Trinity Fields School in Hengoed, Caerphilly Network, the Learning Coach helps learners with their transition from school to the adult world. The process starts at the age of 14 when the Learning Coach works with young people and their families to begin to identify what they want for the future and draw up a transition plan. The Learning Coach’s work is then dictated by the details of the plan. The coach can research service provision and make referrals to the appropriate services, and will follow the progress of a young person closely when other professionals work with him or her. The Learning Coach has regular contact with the family throughout the year, updating them about service involvement and identifying further needs. Families therefore benefit by not having to deal with multiple agencies. The services also benefit because the Learning Coach can ensure they are accessed at the most appropriate time and in a coordinated way. 2008-10-14T13:34:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/learning_coaches_play_an_important_role_in_skill_build_programme/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/learning_coaches_play_an_important_role_in_skill_build_programme/#When:01:49:00Z Access to a Learning Coach is an essential part of the Skill Build programme run by North Wales Training across North Wales. All learners entering the programme are allocated a Learning Coach who they can turn to for confidential support on matters that may be affecting their learning. The main focus of the programme is on employability and lifelong learning, and learners are assured that their Learning Coach can be contacted at all times to help them achieve their goals. Effective tracking of learners throughout the programme is essential, and the Learning Coach has a responsibility to identify new learners and contact them at regular intervals. He or she provides motivation, signposts learners to support agencies and underpins their learning programme by building trust and identifying any additional learning support needed to enhance their learning experience. The Learning Coach can help with issues ranging from attendance and timekeeping to personal problems: issues such as travel, housing, money, family responsibilities, anti-social behaviour, convictions, loneliness, bullying and learning difficulties can all have an effect on a learner’s ability to focus and progress. 2008-08-02T01:49:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/r_apel_to_be_phased_out_in_2008/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/r_apel_to_be_phased_out_in_2008/#When:19:50:01Z R/APEL (Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning) through the preparation of folders of evidence will no longer be supported for accreditation after the deadlines for the 2007-08 academic year. During the pilot we experimented with the possibility of gaining credits by submitting these folders instead of completing the set assignments. It turned out that demand for such accreditation was very limited and there were even fewer completions when it came to actually preparing and submitting final folders. In future, if you are dependent on Learning Network funding support, you will have to complete the set assignments if you wish to gain the credits. R/APEL for coaches trained before 31 December 2007 If you attended training delivered directly by First Campus before 31 December 2007 and wish to submit a R/APEL folder of evidence you must do so by the previously published deadlines for this year. Note that in some of the literature the folders are referred to as R/APEL portfolio of evidence. This is not the same as the Review Portfolio which is the set assignment for The Mentoring Process. You will not be able to submit a R/APEL folder of evidence for any module you attended after 31 December 2007, even if you attended other modules before that date. The R/APEL Evidence Index is available from the Downloads page. The deadlines are: The Mentoring Process (Cardiff University) 14 July 2008 Coaching for Learning (University of Glamorgan) 7 July 2008 if you are submitting for one University of Glamorgan module, 28 July 2008 if you are submitting for more than one Study Strategies (University of Glamorgan) 7 July 2008 if you are submitting for one University of Glamorgan module, 28 July 2008 if you are submitting for more than one Legislation (UWIC) 27 June 2008 Referral Methods and Systems (University of Wales Newport) Deadline already passed. All R/APEL folders should be sent to Marian Long at the following address: Learning Coaches R/APEL Folders, Centre for Lifelong Learning, 7 Forest Grove, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL. 2008-06-16T19:50:01+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/final_deadlines_for_coaching_for_learning_and_study_strategies_2007_08/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/final_deadlines_for_coaching_for_learning_and_study_strategies_2007_08/#When:21:55:00Z The University of Glamorgan is now able to confirm a final hand in date for all students who attended Modules 2 (Coaching for Learning) or 3 (Study Strategies) before 31 March 2008.  For students taking one module, the hand in date for outstanding coursework is Monday 7 July 2008.  For students studying both University of Glamorgan modules, the hand-in date is Monday 28 July 2008.  For Module 2, Coaching for Learning, presentation sessions will be held during the week commencing 23 June and week commencing 7 July.  Any students not attending their presentation session, or not submitting coursework by the deadline will need to apply for mitigating circumstances or will not complete the course.  These deadlines are final and non-negotiable.  If you have any queries about handing in coursework for these modules please contact Melanie Aitchison on (01443) 482325, or email mjaitchi@glam.ac.uk If you need to give a presentation for Coaching for Learning, contact Melanie to arrange a time. 2008-06-06T21:55:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/training_devolves_to_the_14_19_networks/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/training_devolves_to_the_14_19_networks/#When:00:18:00Z Following the success of the pilot learning coach training, there are now more than 500 learning coaches in Wales who have completed between two and five of the five core modules. From 1 May 2008 there will be 40 trainers, based mainly with the 14-19 networks, who will be able to deliver all five core modules. From 1 May your local 14-19 network will be providing the Learning Coaches accredited programme training. If you need to complete training, or wish to commence training, you will need to contact your local 14-19 network representative. 2008-04-03T00:18:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/accreditation/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/accreditation/#When:23:00:00Z If you have attended the Learning Coaches accredited programme and wish to have your work assessed, please note the following deadlines: The Mentoring Process, Cardiff University: Submission of Review Portfolio 14 July 2008 (earlier submission would be welcome). If you wish to guarantee that your guided discussion takes place before the end of the summer term you need to submit your review portfolio by 1 July. Legislation, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff: (for people who attended this module before 31 March 2008) 27 June 2008. Referral Methods and Systems, University of Wales, Newport: (for people who attended this module before 31 March 2008) You should have informed University of Wales, Newport if you intend to submit work for this module this academic year. The submission date is 6 June 2008. Please note if you are enrolled on a module at a university you are expected to submit work during the same academic year. The university may charge an enrolment fee if you submit an assignment in a different academic year, for instance if you enrol in February 2008 but submit work in October 2008. If you wish to follow the accredited route, but have not yet taken all of the modules, do not worry. Although Learning Coaches training has been devolved to the 14-19 networks, assessment and accreditation will still be available from all of the partner universities. For further information, please watch the website, or talk to your local trainer or 14-19 network representative. 2008-04-02T23:00:00+00:00 http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/train_the_trainer1/ http://www.learningcoaches.net/site/train_the_trainer1/#When:22:00:00Z First Campus was successful in winning the tender to deliver training to a maximum of 44 putative trainers across Wales. The 14-19 networks submitted a range of applicants to First Campus, and following rigorous selection procedures, all applicants were successful in securing their place on the training. Week 1 of the training has now been successfully completed, and we are looking forward to commencing Week 2 on 7 April. Training will be completed by 11 April, and it is hoped there will be 37 new trainers available to continue with the accredited programme throughout Wales. 2008-04-02T22:00:00+00:00