Written evidence submitted by Rex Hall Community Interest Company (ALE0001)
PfS (Playing for Success) is a programme, engaging 500,000 young people, providing high quality alternative learning improvements for young people’s literacy, numeracy, ICT skills, self-confidence development, motivation to learn and employability skills.
Comments
PfS is a national initiative, previously funded for 13 years by the DfES in partnership with The Premier League, The Football League Trust, The Wooden Spoon, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Football League, England and Wales Cricket Board, other sports and local authorities. 162 Learning Centres were established across the country involving 19 different sporting venues. PfS was highly regarded by schools, colleges, and Local Education Authorities. When funding was discontinued in 2010 following the last General Election we and our partners could not continue to deliver the programme to targeted, difficult to reach and underachieving young people who needed to strengthen their literacy and employability skills as many were from disadvantaged communities. However, we have secured limited 2 year funding (2013/15) from Paul Hamlyn Foundation to continue some of the work, but this only allows us to deliver the programme in a maximum of 12 centres across the UK. Currently 6 centres have been chosen and cohorts of potential students referred by local schools. Examples of the current programme can be available if required. Our programme has ongoing monitoring and evaluation which consistently demonstrates that PfS exceeds all targets including those for raised attainment and wider achievement. The model has also been taken up by other sectors in their learning contexts - ie retail, heritage, arts and science. We have also linked with partnerships in Europe and other countries are keen to be involved. We are keen as an organisation to see the programme extended, supported and developed by Government as it takes a lead on issues identified by the most recent OECD report stating that 16-24 year old adults had only basic or low level literacy skills, ranking the UK in 21st place out of 24 nations. We believe we have a well established track record of delivering a Government contract in a vital area needed for business and skills in the UK. We look forward to discussing the PfS programme and its potential for the future with the Committee.