School , SLT and FEC staff highlighted that a more comprehensive calendar of events would enable them to ensure better take up of events , plan how their own SUN funding should be used , better communicate across the wider school / college staff and finally better plan their time in the SPoC role .
“ I need to have a really clear idea of what ’ s being offered and when for the next academic year , before the current one ends .” SPoC Bournemouth School
School and FEC staff and governing bodies
Communication and knowledge of NCOP across school and college staff was highlighted as a concern and challenge in Phase 1 . This issue was greater in FECs where subjects are spread across multiple campuses and there is little opportunity for full staff dissemination events . SPoCs also commented that it is often a challenge to embed NCOP and SUN within the priorities of SLT and governing bodies due to competing demands placed upon schools and at a time where budgets are being cut .
For FECs , where Progression Mentors and their line managers have proactively engaged with SLT and subject leaders / tutors SUN and NCOP has had better uptake and knowledge of the additional funding available has acted as a catalyst for engagement .
“ I guess when the understanding of a word gets out ( NCOP ) quite quickly we have staff saying " oh we ' ve gone we ' ve been told we can have this and that ” so it ’ s just making sure everybody understands who these students are that we ' re really trying to support . And how can it actually be me moving forward properly .” SPoC Southampton School
“ Challenges are just lack of awareness . As I ' ve mentioned the NCOP learners are not in specific groups actually they are across every single class , across every single curriculum . Literally when we ' ve done the analysis is one here , two there . Senior level are more aware of the principle work done this year . But you know , I mean there are hundreds lecturers here and so no unless it ' s unless they ' ve had some specific contacts with the Progression Mentor because of NCOP learners then they wouldn ’ t know .” FEC
Sharing of ‘ what works ’ across the region
This topic appeared across a number of SPoC interviews . There is a definite need for more cohesive opportunities for sharing best practice and highlighting success and challenges across the region and across the partnership .
A number of SPoCs highlighted it would be useful to gain a better understanding of what had happened to evaluation they had contributed to ( i . e . baseline surveys , activity surveys etc .) and any changes that were instigated as part of this .
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