The Limavady
Post-Primary Learning Partnership

The partnership was formally established in 2002, with the support of the Western Education & Library Board, and brings together the resources of Limavady College, Limavady High School, St Mary’s High School, Rossmar Special School, Limavady Grammar School and St Patrick’s College, Dungiven, to provide students with access to a wider range of courses than ever before and to help build a learning community in the Limavady Borough. The Partnership’s key aims and objectives are as follows:
                       
Aims:

• To develop an agreed educational provision for 14-19 year olds;
• To present a coherent provision framework which provides progression opportunities for young people and reflect the needs of the Northern Ireland economy.

Principal Objectives:

• To provide a Vocational Enhancement Programme which falls within the National Qualifications Framework and reflects the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland;
• To provide a programme of education which meets the employability and economic needs agenda, while promoting and nurturing self-development;
• To ensure that progression and learning pathways are clearly articulated;
• To break down barriers between educational providers in order to rationalise provision and utilise resources in a manner that demonstrates best value for money.

The learning needs of young people lies at the heart of the Partnership’s work and has been developed into a common learning policy. Pastoral Care is seen as a collective responsibility. There are joint curriculum planning and timetabling meetings between the respective co-ordinators. In 2007 a common approach to learning and improving classroom practice was developed between all the participating schools. The resulting document ‘TRACE : A model for improving classroom practice’, was disseminated to all staff in the participating schools.  In 2008 common Yr 13/14 timetable blocks were agreed to enable students to access courses more flexibly within the partnership.

Staff development exercises are used to support the work of the Partnership.
Parent evenings/celebration events between the College and schools have been held in order to promote the work of the Partnership among parents and employers. The Partnership is committed to providing Advice and Guidance to pupils and parents that will enable them to make more informed choices about their future careers. 

While the beginnings of the partnership, some seven years ago, were tentative, it has become a significant vehicle for change in the Roe Valley. It not only facilitates the fulfilment of the aims of the Entitlement Curriculum by opening up opportunities for students to study for ‘vocational’ qualifications at Limavady College, but will also continue to provide opportunities for the sharing of ‘academic’ classes among the local post-primary schools.
When students meet and share learning in such contexts, both vocational and academic, barriers are broken. The learning they experience prepares them for the world of work, gaining skills which will enable them to work in teams, solve problems, communicate well, and use new technologies, so that they not only contribute to the world of work, they will actively shape it.

A feature of the Partnership has been the move from competition to genuine collaboration, putting students at the centre. I see this collaboration growing. I see the development of joint strategies for learning and for assessment as an important element in this growth. I am excited by the possibilities, as are the staff of Limavady Grammar School.

Dr S J McGuinness 

 LGS - STUDENTS ON LINK COURSES 2008/09