Remaking Learning
Remaking Learning is a BMBC initiative to raise levels of achievement, cultivate change and create an encouraging learning environment in which self improvement is the norm.

Remaking Learning is about:

• Improving the achievement of children, young people and adults.
  
• Increasing motivation and self esteem for all learners.
  
• Improving attendance and behaviour at every key stage in schools.
  
• Enabling parents and carers to become more involved in their children's learning.
  
• Involving learners in decisions about their own learning.
  
• Identifying problems early and providing supportive intervention.
  
• Ensuring swift and efficient access to specialist services to meet particular needs.
  
• Providing a greater and richer choice of learning pathways.
  
• Increasing participation in, and completion of, post 16 learning.
  
• Increasing opportunities for adult learning.
  

Students Numbers and results
Barnsley has five infant schools (5-7 years); five junior schools (7-11 years); 75 primary schools (5-11 years); 13 secondary schools (11-16 years); one secondary school (11-18 years) and one special school (3-19 years). There are also a number of private schools within the region.

Barnsley England and Wales

		Barnsley	England and Wales
	Full-time students and schoolchildren aged 16 to 74	7,234	2,648,992
	Percentage of total resident population	3.3%	5.1%
	Total number aged 16 to 17	3,807	1,014,284
	Total number aged 18 to 74	3,427	1,634,708

Source: National Census 2001

Destinations of Barnsley School leavers

		At 16 years old Number		At 18 years old Number
	Further/Higher Education	1,766	63%	119	89%
	Employment or work-based training	672	24%	10	8%
	Other	362	13%	4	3%
	Total	2,800	100%	133	100%

Source:Moving On (2004), Connexions

Universities

Barnsley is home to a University Centre - part of the University of Huddersfield. Neighbouring cities, Sheffield and Leeds, each have two first class universities: Sheffield University, Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Metropolitan and Leeds University.

The universities’ strengths include: Biosciences & Biomedical Sciences; Materials, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics Engineering; Food Sciences; Environmental and Earth Sciences; Information Studies; Computing; Art and Industrial Design; and Languages.

Other universities and higher/ further education establishments are also located within the region offering a variety of academic and vocational courses.

Vocational Training Centres

Barnsley College offers a diverse training programme in a wide range of vocations and subjects. Courses are offered at levels to suit needs from basic skills levels to professional accreditations to degree-level qualifications (from Sheffield and Leeds Universities).

The Fujitsu Siemens Computer Academy at Barnsley College is a facility in the centre of Barnsley, providing a range of skills development activities focused on ICT including web design, e-commerce and a range of tailored provisions for small to medium sized businesses.

Dearne Valley College is a short travelling distance from Barnsley and offers customised courses to meet the needs of businesses. Short courses provided range from Windows software training (Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc.) to business related courses.

Recruitment & Training

Barnsley Development Agency offers recruitment and training support free of charge via the JOBMatch service which works with local partners such as Jobcentre Plus to ensure you get the most out of your workforce.

JOBMatch

JOBMatch is a unique HR consultancy service providing assistance for inward investors and expanding indigenous companies across South Yorkshire.

This bespoke service enables clients to make timely and informed decisions and minimise the costs associated with business development. Furthermore, the JOBMatch service is fully funded and therefore clients will not incur costs for utilising this resource.

JOBMatch provides a single point of access in relation to recruitment and development support through a unique brokerage service, based upon established local networks. All assistance is tailored to meet the specific needs of the client and includes:

Pre-recruitment - Labour market information relating to wage rates, skills availability, qualifications, analysis of recruitment needs and advertising options.
Recruitment - Assistance with advertising, guidance on recruitment services and subsidies available, job readiness training programmes, links with commercial organisations, community and other partner groups.
Training and Development - Information relating to training subsidies and funds available, training and development planning, access to and advice on local training provision.

JOBMatch Consultants are fully qualified HR professionals from a wide range of industries and professions, adding value to recruitment and development through their commercial experience and knowledge of the local economy.

Jobcentre Plus

Through Jobcentre Plus, assistance with local recruitment is available, including:

• Issuing and initial assessment of application forms
  
• Assistance with interviews
  
• Psychometric testing
  
• Co-ordination of customised workforce training to meet companies’ needs
  
• Detailed advice on local wage rates
  

Jobcentre Plus can also advise on the Government’s ‘New Deal’ welfare to work programme, which can help pay for training costs and provide wage subsidies to employers for recruitment of Jobcentre Plus clients.