Summary  - A very successful collaborative approach to enhancing 14-19 provision.

Learning for Life, in its first year, has been a dramatic success. Schools, the Sheffield College and other providers have worked closely with the LfL team to create a programme which will allow 14 year olds across the city a choice of eight applied GCSEs and 16 additional qualifications widely respected by employers and universities including GNVQs, BTECs and NVQs. The range of courses is extensive, stretching from vendor qualifications required for careers as software and network engineers through to NVQs in construction, retail, care and business languages.

In the new academic year there will be almost 4,000 enrolments to the new learning pathways by 14 year olds from every Sheffield school with many young people mixing study in the classroom with experience in the workplace and training at college or with another provider. The new provision is shaped jointly by teachers and by employers, who have taken part in a series of high profile business breakfasts to show their endorsement of the programme. In addition, teachers with particular specialisms and interests have been brought together with lecturers and employers' organisations in curriculum networks where the practical implications of introducing a new course can be worked through and where best practice can be shared.