Retford

Retford becomes a Learning Town

Japanese lessons and First Aid training are on the timetable for adults in Retford, while the youngsters are out improving their footballing skills. These are just some of the diverse activities on offer now that Retford has become a Learning Town.

The Retford initiative has been very much driven by the zeal and enthusiasm of one man, Richard Arrowsmith, formerly Head Teacher of the King Edward VI School. As his plans developed, they attracted the interest of a number of partnerships. His inspiration for this project apparently came from speeches and publications by Sir Christopher Ball.

The Education Business Partnership with North Nottinghamshire TEC provided ideas and inspiration, as well as support. Activities really got underway with the opening of a suite of rooms at the King Edward VI School in 1995, facilitated by the TEC partnership room programme. One of the aims of the suite was to encourage adults to join students in learning.

The project has focused on practical activities and the forming of partnerships, both with other education providers and with other organisations in Retford.

The partners

The Retford initiative is essentially a series of working partnerships. The project's founder, Richard Arrowsmith established these with:

• Guideline Careers Service
• North Nottinghamshire College * Employment Service
• Bassetlaw Community Voluntary Services
• Bassetlaw District Council
• Nottingham Trent University
• Nottingham County Council Partnership Schools programme.

It also has support from North Nottinghamshire TEC and the governing body of the school.

The partnership with the university involves the running of lectures, while that with North Nottinghamshire College concerns the possibility of using the Learning Town as an umbrella term to promote the work of all providers in Retford. Under the Partnership schools programme the college also provides adult learning in the school

The partners involved in the Bassetlaw Education Group agreed in February 1997 to establish a steering group to take the initiative forward. This took over in September 1997 by which time Richard Arrowsmith had moved to the headship of a school out of Retford. A part-time Development Officer (2 days per week) has been appointed to work under the Steering Group.

Target setting and action planning

This project has an action plan, albeit a flexible one, and targets for the future.

The targets are for individual actions which will contribute towards increasing learning approaches. More generalised targets aim to raise awareness of the concept and encourage co-operative working. It is unclear how these targets were devised.

The project has not concentrated on baseline data nor on links with economic regeneration in the formal sense. A survey of 2000 households on attitudes to learning has recently been undertaken, however.

Problems encountered

There have been some problems with the activities, such as difficulties in securing good speakers and audiences for a 'Celebrity Speakers' programme. There have also been difficulties between providers, but discussions have now alleviated fears of competition.

The new Steering Group have had some difficulties in outlining their role. This has now been resolved.

There has been little or no involvement of employers in these early stages.

Progress so far

The Retford initiatives achievements are described in its Annual Report. These should be measured against the project's aims which are to:

• Explore what might be involved in the Learning Town
• Contemplate activities affecting as many potential learning groups as possible from all ages and levels of learning
• Promote lifelong learning in Retford
• Support existing activities and promote further possibilities of improved progression rates for children in secondary schools
• Provide an umbrella framework for existing provision for adult learning
• Promote Retford as one of a number of regeneration activities taking place in North Nottinghamshire.
• These aims are in the process of being re-evaluated to set against attainable objectives

Achievements include:

• A football training event for 150 children
• The development of National Targets Certificates for foundation targets I and 3 in two schools in the first year and five schools in the second year
• Courses for adults in Japanese, Italian and First Aid followed by an expanded programme in conjunction with North Nottinghamshire College and a Community Education programme with the LEA’s financial support
• Lecturers providing a taste of HE in partnership with Nottingham Trent University
• Much greater involvement in Adult Learner's Week in 1998.
• Presentation to the Town Centre Regeneration Group
• Approaches to community groups within the town

Planned actions include:

• Evaluation of HE programme
• Further consultation on understanding and response to the initiative to assess effectiveness and determine future direction
• Extension of National Targets certification
• Regular coverage in local press and one national press feature
• Design of a logo and development of the Learning Town as an umbrella term for other providers
• One-stop shop premises
• Longer Term HE based courses
• Greater involvement of Employers
• Production of a marketing strategy.

There are a number of other creative plans for action which may be developed during the year, including one with primary schools, companies and libraries.

Funding

The work of the project director is supported, in part, by North Nottinghamshire TEC.