The value of Scotland's school-college partnerships to be explored in new study

The value of Scotland's school-college partnerships to be explored in new study

Educational pathways which give young people the opportunity to combine their schoolwork with college classes are the focus of a new study led by researchers at the University of Aberdeen.

School-College Partnerships (SCPs) have been available in Scotland since the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence in 2011. Offering opportunities for learners to combine academic and vocational study and to explore whether further education and/or an apprenticeship may be a suitable next step, uptake has grown year-on-year since 2016 with around 20% of young Scots aged 14-18 now choosing to learn this way.

Little is known however about which kinds of learners undertake SCPs and there is limited evidence of how the route supports young people’s transitions into the world of work.

Working in partnership with the College Development Network, researchers will explore the different models of SCPs and examine how they support or restrict choice and progress for different kinds of learners.

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the project starts this month (September) and will run until August 2026.

Project lead Dr Stephanie Thomson, senior lecturer at the University’s School of Education, said: “Each school has its own arrangement with its local college, which means there is huge variety in both structure and content. SCPs also often change, meaning that there can be sudden withdrawal of course or qualifications options.

“Our research will examine the characteristics of learners in SCP routes, investigate the learning offer open to them locally and explore the young people’s experiences of transition into and through the senior phase of their education.

“Our hope is that the study will help contribute to ongoing debates in Scottish education about the structure of the senior phase and wider debates about how policy and practice can support successful transitions into education and work.”

Dr Paula Christie at the College Development Network said: “We are excited to collaborate on this important study, which will provide valuable insights into how school-college partnerships are shaping the educational journeys of young people in Scotland.

“By exploring the diverse models and outcomes of these partnerships, we hope to better understand how they can be optimised to support learners in making informed decisions about their futures, whether that be further education, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce directly. This research will be crucial in helping us to refine and enhance the pathways available to students, ensuring that they have the best possible start in their careers."

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