10th September 2013 9:00
By Blue Tutors
A scheme designed to keep young people in education or employment has said that this summer’s GCSE results reflect the success of the pilot. The scheme involves investing money in coaches for teenagers in order to encourage them to study hard and stay in education. The scheme is funded by social investors working with charities who help children who are at risk of becoming Neet – not in employment, education and training. If the scheme reaches their GCSE Results target, the charities will be reimbursed by the Department for Work and Pensions. Of over 300 teenagers taking part in the pilot scheme, 55% achieved A*-C GCSES.
The project was piloted in North and East London, where students enrolled in the scheme achieved above the target of 30% reaching the A*-C benchmark. The project is based on studies which have shown that students reaching this threshold at GCSE are far more likely to stay in education and are more likely to find employment when they enter the job market. If the project continues next year, it would aim to prevent at least 8 out of 10 at-risk teenagers from being out of education and employment. If the project continues to produce similar results, it will make a significant different to the prospects of teenagers at risk of becoming ‘Neet’, as figures show that 9% of 16-18 year olds in England were classified as Neet last year.
The pilot scheme was designed to ascertain whether investment in students at the GCSE stage would save money later on that would be used to support them if they became unemployed. However, the government does not support he scheme directly. Currently, the London programme is funded by Big Society Capital and Impetus-PEF, who provided £900,000 to the Tomorrow’s People charity to run the scheme. The charity supported young people through their GCSEs by providing coaches to build confidence, and measured school attendance, behaviour and exam results. The pilot scheme has exceeded its targets, and therefore the charities involved can expect to be reimbursed by the government.