Implementing the Increased Flexibility for 14-16 Year olds Programme: The experience of partnerships and students
Sarah Golden, Julie Nelson, Lisa O'Donnel and Peter Rudd, National Foundation of Educational Research (2004), Department for Education and Skills

Findings Links Also see... Working with 14-16 year-olds with basic skills needs in FE Colleges (2005) Increased Flexibility Programme at Key Stage 4 (Ofsted, 2005)

Collaborative Approaches to 14-19 Provision: A Summary Report on the Evaluation of the Second Year of the 14-19 Pathfinder Initiative (2005) 14-19 Education and Skills - The White Paper (2005)

Findings
Research for this report was done through interviews conducted in early 2004 with Increased Flexibility for 14-16 year olds Programme (IFP) coordinators in nine further education colleges; 18 tutors; a student support worker; 25 school staff; and 45 year 11 students, in 16 schools across nine partnerships.

The report found that involvement in IFP contributed positively to students' personal and social development and aspirations for the future; nearly all students interviewed said they would recommend their course to their peers.

There were a number of logistical problems with IFP, particularly with timetabling, but the report suggests that it is well worth trying to deal with these because of the positive experiences and outcomes associated with offering greater flexibility to students at Key Stage 4. However, these outcomes are not known about by all school staff, and the report suggests therefore that it is important to raise the profile of the programme and its potential benefits.

Links:

• To download the report see http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk
• For more information on the Increased Flexibility Programme visit www.teachernet.gov.uk