Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools
Annual Report Summary 2013-14
Programme of activities & events
Schools progression to higher education statistics
Destinations of students
Financial report
Contents 01 • Foreword 01 • LEAPS Aims and Objectives 01 • LEAPS Eligibility and Schools
02 • The LEAPS Programme of Activities and Events 02 • S3 – Programme of activities and events 03 • S4– Programme of activities and events 04 • S5– Programme of activities and events 06 • S6 – Programme of activities and events 07 • Parents and UCAS events 08 • Summer School 09 • Student Volunteers
10 • Destinations of students interviewed by LEAPS
Destinations by Council
11 • Destinations by University/College 12 • LEAPS schools progression to higher education statistics
Group 1 Schools
13 • Group 2 Schools 14 • Financial report 15 • Conclusion
LEAPS is a successful and unique widening participating programme, funded by its higher education institution and local council partners, to increase progression to higher education in South East Scotland. LEAPS is also supported by Skills Development Scotland. LEAPS delivers the Scottish Funding Council’s Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP).
Foreword This year, like many before, LEAPS continues to achieve the all-important aims and objectives of this vital and essential programme. The partners, including local authorities and higher education institutions, remain committed both financially and educationally in meeting the needs of students who have experienced economic, social or cultural challenges to fulfil their potential in accessing higher education. The constant success of LEAPS and its partners is reflected in the significant amount of LEAPS students who, with relevant support, have excelled through their own efforts to progress and enter into higher education. This is a direct reflection of how important the programme is to all those involved and to the accomplishments of this hugely thriving and collaborative initiative. On behalf of the partnership I would like to thank the team for their outstanding work this year and send best wishes well in to the next, and beyond‌. Paola Renucci, Edinburgh Napier University Chair, LEAPS Management Group, 2013-14
LEAPS Aims and Objectives LEAPS promotes social inclusion and equality of opportunity by facilitating increased participation and success in higher education of young people whose ability to choose higher education as a post school option and/or to demonstrate or realise their potential may have been inhibited by economic, social or cultural factors. The five objectives are to: 1. Provide young people and their parents with advice, information and encouragement to consider higher education, accessed directly or through further education, as an attractive and attainable option. 2. Provide impartial information and advice about courses and routes to higher education. 3. Raise awareness of widening participation issues and challenge traditional assumptions about admissions criteria within (a) higher education institutions and (b) schools. 4. Enhance the prospects of young people fulfilling their academic potential by promoting positive attitudes to learning and acquisition of learning skills to ensure effective transition to and success in higher education. 5. Monitor and evaluate student progression into higher education.
LEAPS Eligibility and Schools The group of schools entitled to participate in each LEAPS activity or event is indicated on the following pages using the key below: Group 1 Schools - G1
Group 2 Schools -
G2
For a list of Group 1 and 2 schools please refer to page 12.
01
Programme of Activities and Events “With neither of my parents having attended university and I myself having attended a school where typically less pupils progress onto university, this has meant I have been involved with LEAPS since my third year of high school. There was an opportunity to visit university campuses themselves such as the University of Edinburgh and HeriotWatt University. I found this highly beneficial as it showed me what a university campus is like and also informed my choices in S6 about the type of university I would like to study at.� Lisa Johnston Leith Academy (Graduated from the University of Edinburgh and current PGDE student at the University of Strathclyde)
S3 Students from Newbattle Community High School participating in Campus Reporter
02
S3 - Programme of Activity The S3 activities provide an introduction to higher education and student life, creating awareness of the various paths into both university and college. Activities are designed to raise aspirations and the use of student volunteers is key to the success of the campus-based event in providing an insight into student life.
What Next? Workshop
G1
A school-based workshop which is one period in length. LEAPS staff lead students through a multi-media presentation which highlights the paths different students take through school, university/college and potential future employment. Working in teams, students use electronic clicker sets to make the key decisions regarding the student’s options during and after they leave school.
Campus Reporter
19 events reached
696 participants
G1
A half-day campus based event where students explore the university facilities accompanied by a university student and member of the LEAPS team. Students use hand-held video cameras to create a short film clip about one aspect of university life which will form part of a news programme. This event provides an early introduction to university and student life.
20 events reached
663 participants
S4 – Programme of Activity Following on from S3 activities, the S4 events continue to raise aspirations and encourage students to consider what is required to study at university and college level.
Courses, Qualifications and Careers Workshop
G1
This workshop is delivered in school by LEAPS staff assisted by student volunteers. The workshop has a quiz show format and consists of a 34 workshops number of rounds which explore topics such as qualifications reached needed for different careers, what courses are taught at university and college, university subject areas and student life.
1012 participants
High Flyers
G1
This residential event provides enhanced support to five schools with the lowest progression to HE: • Wester Hailes Education Centre • Castlebrae Community High School • Craigroyston Community High School • Drummond Community High School • Newbattle Community High School Students from the above schools are invited to take part in High Flyers which allows them to experience student life and sample different courses.
40
students attended High Flyers in 2014
“At school I was involved in various LEAPS workshops with university students and attended some talks given by LEAPS members of staff. Since I was the first person in my family to attend university I was really nervous about going and I did not know what to expect. However, all the students I met at LEAPS workshops were all very friendly and helpful, and most importantly they were normal – just like me and my friends – and this really helped to dispel the preconceptions I had about university students.” Calum Mackie Newbattle Community High School (Currently studying at the University of Edinburgh)
S4 Students taking part in a taster session at High Flyers
03
S5 – Programme of Activity
“Having gained the qualifications required to undertake my degree at the University of Edinburgh I decided in second year to get involved in volunteering with LEAPS, helping to offer the very same workshops I had attended at high school to the next generation of pupils. Having particularly enjoyed this process, I then went on to become a personal tutor for the LEAPS Summer School for the next three summers as well as continuing my volunteering during term time.” Lisa Johnston Leith Academy (Graduated from the University of Edinburgh)
Student Volunteers at the S5 Conference
04
Whilst continuing to develop positive working relationships with students, the S5 activities support students in choosing the right course, provide advice and guidance on course requirements and encourage them to recognise how valuable S5 is in terms of college and university entrance.
What is LEAPS? Promotional Presentation
G2
This short presentation explains LEAPS’ support and eligibility.
40 events reached
3739 participants
Introducing Higher Education presentation
G1
This is a presentation targeted at students who may be HN or university candidates. The presentation includes an overview of higher education, including key information relating to entry qualifications, application procedures, exit points and articulation. Focusing on a timeline, students are advised on opportunities to collect information to make an informed decision about post-school study.
Typical Student Week workshop
24 events reached
1325 participants
G1
This session is delivered in school by LEAPS staff assisted by a group of student volunteers. The students are split into small groups and have to interview a student volunteer about their typical week at university so as to complete a blank diary entry for the week. The session introduces students to the difference in learning between school and university.
26 events reached
906 participants
S5 Interviews
G1
This is a one-to-one 30 minute interview for S5 students with staff from the LEAPS team. For students who have the potential to go into higher education, these are designed to give advice and guidance regarding HE requirements. The focus is on course choices for S6 and other opportunities for the student to explore (e.g. work experience and qualifications required for certain HE courses).
S5 Conference (Applying 2014)
668 interviews undertaken in 19 schools
G1 G2
The S5 Conference is designed to help students take the first steps along the road into HE, offering information and advice to help make the right decisions about their future studies. The event includes a workshop which introduces students to strategies for selecting the right course and making an effective application, as well as an HE exhibition where students have the opportunity to speak directly to college and university staff.
267
students attended this event at the University of Edinburgh in Feb 2014
“I volunteered for LEAPS during the final year of my undergraduate degree, getting involved in a number of workshops at different schools. Working with LEAPS was one of the most enjoyable things about my university experience, I gained invaluable skills, met wonderful people and got to ‘give something back’. The LEAPS staff have always been wonderful, friendly and kind to both students and to volunteers. It is a wonderful organisation to be involved with.” Kathryn Duncan Galashiels Academy (Graduated from University of Stirling)
Students attending the S5 Conference
05
S6 – Programme of Events S6 ‘What is LEAPS?’ talk
41 events reached
G1 G2
“A particular source of support for me from LEAPS was my S6 UCAS pre-application interview with a member of the LEAPS staff, this interview helped me understand whether I had enough grades for the universities I wanted to apply to and also key skills and experience that I should highlight in my personal statement.”
This is a short presentation delivered to the whole of the S6 cohort and is designed to remind them about LEAPS and outline what support is on offer in S6.
Lisa Johnston Leith Academy
This session is delivered in school by LEAPS staff assisted by group of student volunteers. Students work through a case study assisted by a student volunteer. From the information supplied they have to identify what the case-study student spends per week and their sources of income to give them a more realistic picture of how students get by on a budget.
(Graduated from the University of Edinburgh)
Pre-application interview
participants
G1 G2
The pre-application interview is offered to all LEAPS eligible students and is an opportunity to discuss the student’s course choices and application to college or university. The interview is either undertaken by a member of the LEAPS team or by an advisor from one of the partner institutions. The interview may be followed up with a pre-application enquiry to a university on a student’s behalf to reassure students on a likely offer.
Getting by on a Student Budget workshop
Conference for S6 Students
2324 final-year students were supported by LEAPS
G1
G1 G2
This event is designed for students who have undertaken a preapplication interview and supports the next steps towards higher education offering a mixture of workshops and presentations delivered by the LEAPS team, assisted by university staff and representatives from NUS and SAAS.
Creative Extras
3665
21 events reached
707 participants
353
students attended this event at Edinburgh Napier University
G1 G2
Creative Extras is a series of activities for LEAPS-eligible S6 students who are applying for creative industry courses. These activities are designed to offer advice, guidance and experience with portfolio and audition preparation; the ‘extras’ over and above the academic requirements for creative arts applications.
In 2013 42 LEAPS eligible S6 students took part in creative extras Art & Design Week, with a further 29 S6 students taking part in the JAM (Journalism, Acting and Music) Sessions.
06
Students attending a Creative Extras session at the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh College of Art
Parents and UCAS Events School-based parents’ events
37 events reached
1638
G1 G2
The LEAPS team attend many parents’ evenings at schools across the south east, providing advice and guidance about LEAPS’ support to parents and carers.
Higher Education Conventions
attendees
G1 G2
The LEAPS team attended the Edinburgh & Lothians and Borders UCAS-organised HE Conventions in September 2013, providing advice and guidance to students and parents.
Campus-based parents’ information evenings
Two events reached
430
“The S6 Conference was by far one of the most memorable workshops for me as it involved speaking to real life students about their own experiences. Coming from a small town in the Borders, I found this beneficial as it gave me an idea as to what to expect when I did decide to move away from home and be independent.” Natasha Baptie Hawick High School (Currently studying at Edinburgh Napier University)
students
G1 G2
Parents’ Information Evenings took place in Edinburgh, Stirling and Galashiels in March 2014, providing advice to parents on choosing courses, applying to college and university as well as financing higher education study.
Three events reached
209 particpants
“The Parents’ Information Evening was an excellent event. The talk from SAAS was very helpful and we really enjoyed hearing the students talk about student life.” Parent of a LEAPS eligible student University of Stirling Parents’ Information Evening
A LEAPS Student Volunteer providing advice at one of the Parents’ Information Evenings
07
Summer School
“Attending Summer School was one of the best decisions of my life. I gained insight into student life, had the opportunity to try out my degree subject and met some incredible people; both staff and fellow students. For the past two years I have been volunteering at local schools with LEAPS. I was also privileged to be a personal tutor during Summer School, 2013. I feel so honoured to give back to LEAPS and to offer my time and energy meeting the ambitious young people they work with. I value my experience with them so much, both as a participant and as a volunteer.” Beatrix Esk James Gillespies High School
The purpose of the LEAPS Summer School is to provide preparation for success in HE at a key transitional point. The programme supports entry and transition to university as well as improving retention. It provides students with an additional opportunity to demonstrate to university admissions staff that they have ‘what it takes’ to cope with degree-level work. Over 60% of Summer School graduates have gained access to their chosen university course on the basis of a positive assessment report in cases where they did not meet the conditions set. The LEAPS Summer School takes place over seven weeks from early June to late July. Students take two courses from a list of twelve options and additionally every student must take our Academic Skills Course, taught at university level. Classes are typically held over a three-day week and are based at the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University with academic staff from all our partner institutions contributing to teaching. Students are supported by the LEAPS team, academic staff and by their Student Tutor over the period of Summer School. Each student receives a summer school report on completion of the programme based on their performance and attendance as well as being invited to attend a graduation event with parents and supporters.
154
students graduated from Summer School
36
36
University of Edinburgh
3
Abertay University
University of Aberdeen
1
University of St Andrews
24
went onto HNC/D or NQ at College
08
123
1
100%
of students found the Summer School to be useful
University of Stirling
5
1
Robert Gordon University
students went onto university
University of Strathclyde
7
Queen Margaret University
Heriot-Watt University
(Graduated from the University of Edinburgh)
4
11
16
Edinburgh Napier University
1
SRUC
100% felt well supported by LEAPS
Glasgow Caledonian University
1
University of the West of Scotland
47
students needed
their Summer School Report to gain entry to university
Student Volunteers Student volunteers made an invaluable contribution to our work in 2013-14. The LEAPS volunteer team comprised 109 home and international students studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Student volunteers come from across our partner institutions and a range of academic disciplines. They made a total of 492 contributions to workshops and conferences in school and on campus. The enthusiastic and honest input of volunteers continued to be a vital component of our work to present higher education as attractive and attainable, whilst also contributing towards a smoother journey through the early stages of student life.
“Going into my fourth year of university, I decided that it would be a perfect time to give back to LEAPS what it gave to me so started as a LEAPS volunteer this year.” Natasha Baptie Hawick High School (Now at Edinburgh Napier University)
Student volunteers after a workshop at Eyemouth High School
Student volunteers outside Hawick High School
“Coming back as a volunteer was a really fun and positive experience. Doing the workshops helped me to remember why I went to university in the first place. It was also nice to meet new people that were volunteering from a broad range of subjects, universities and even countries.” Bradley Mcarthur Royal High School (Graduated from Heriot-Watt University)
Student volunteers outside Musselburgh Grammar School
09
Destinations of students interviewed by LEAPS We track the destinations of students in their final year of school, who are supported by LEAPS, and obtain their initial destination which is shown in the following tables. This is firstly indicated by council and secondly by those who go on to university or college.
Destinations by Council Table 1
Destinations University
City of East Edinburgh Lothian
Midlothian
West Lothian
Scottish Borders
Forth Total Total Total Valley 2014 2013 2012
469 59%
146 53%
140 59%
286 60%
181 54%
96 56%
1318 57%
1238 57%
1305 63%
153
50
29
108
59
35
434
352
261
19%
18%
12%
23%
18%
21%
19%
16%
13%
80
23
22
34
35
6
200
242
190
10%
8%
9%
7%
10%
4%
9%
11%
9%
%
80 10%
47 17%
39 16%
43 9%
45 13%
25 15%
279 12%
244 11%
226 11%
Unemployment %
6 1%
0 0%
1 0%
4 1%
7 2%
2 1%
20 1%
63 3%
57 3%
Other destinations
13
7
6
4
10
6
46
18
33
2%
3%
3%
1%
3%
4%
2%
1%
2%
801
273
237
479
337
170
%
College - HNC/ HND % College - other courses % Employment
%
Total known destinations
2297 2157 2072
Table 1 notes: Other destinations shown above from 2014 include school pupil, voluntary work, training and activity agreement. The percentages in the above table have been rounded and are based on known destination information shown in the table. The destinations of 27 students across the local authorities are unknown (1.16% of the total). This figure was 5% in 2013 and 0.01% in 2012. These have been omitted from the table above.
10
Destinations by University/College Table 2
Destinations
City of East Edinburgh Lothian
Midlothian
West Lothian
Scottish Borders
Forth Total Total Total Valley 2014 2013 2012
Edinburgh
168
51
52
82
64
29
446
400
370
Edinburgh Napier
87
26
29
48
23
7
220
149
218
Heriot-Watt
53
12
17
33
7
4
126
133
124
QMU
30
20
10
14
10
1
85
94
111
Aberdeen
18
3
1
6
4
2
34
29
58
Glasgow
18
2
3
13
5
6
47
41
46
Stirling
11
7
9
28
7
19
81
86
71
Glasgow Cale.
9
4
1
6
8
6
34
42
38
Strathclyde
12
2
2
17
3
5
41
44
42
Abertay
9
2
5
7
3
5
31
33
42
Dundee
10
6
1
6
7
4
34
47
43
RGU
14
4
3
5
12
3
41
44
40
St Andrews
10
4
0
1
5
1
21
17
12
SRUC-HE
4
1
2
1
7
0
15
27
15
UHI-HE
0
1
1
3
3
2
10
14
12
UWS
1
1
0
6
3
1
12
21
29
Other Universities
15
0
4
10
10
1
40
17
34
University Total
469
146
140
286
181
96
Edinburgh College
201
63
48
39
34
3
388
397
300
SRUC-FE
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
3
2
West Lothian
5
0
0
60
0
0
65
66
39
Borders College
0
0
0
0
41
0
41
23
28
Forth Valley
2
1
0
10
2
28
43
39
24
City of Glasgow College
3
1
1
13
4
7
29
21
15
Fife College
5
1
0
4
1
0
11
13
0
New College Lanarkshire
0
1
0
8
1
0
10
3
5
UHI-FE
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Other Colleges
16
6
1
7
11
3
44
29
38
College Total
233
73
51
142
94
41
634
594
451
Overall Total
702
219
191
428
275
137
1952 1832 1756
1318 1238 1305
Table 1 and 2 notes: It should be noted that data in both tables for 2014 is based on the School Leaver Destination Returns (SLDR) provided by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to LEAPS in January 2015. Universities intake returns to the Higher Education Statistics Agency are based on December figures and are available from partner Universities. 2+2/Associate degrees feature in SLDR provided to LEAPS for first time in 2014 data. In each case the initial (ie College) destination is shown in the tables, but it should be noted that these students are likely to progress onto degree courses at University assuming they pass their college courses.
11
Progression to Higher Education – Group 1 Group 1 schools typically have rates of progression to higher education that are some way below the national average. For this reason, these schools are normally entitled to participate in all aspects of the LEAPS programme, from S3 to S6. Group 2 schools have an established tradition of students progressing directly to higher education. Students in these schools who match any of the LEAPS eligibility criteria are entitled to individualised support during S5 and S6, as well as the LEAPS Summer School. The inclusion of schools in both groups is reviewed on a regular basis. For more information on LEAPS eligibility please visit www.leapsonline.org. Table 3
Baseline 1996-2000
2013-14
5 Year Ave 2010-2014
5 yr against baseline
1 yr against baseline
yrs as Group 1
Alloa Academy
n/a
29
27
n/a
n/a
4
Armadale Academy
18
27
23
5
9
10
Bannockburn High School
n/a
24
29
n/a
n/a
4
Castlebrae Community High School
3
3
5
2
Level
13
Craigroyston Community High School
3
13
8
5
10
13
Drummond Community High School
16
18
21
5
2
13
Eyemouth High School
n/a
19
24
n/a
n/a
4
Forrester High School
13
23
23
10
10
13
Gracemount High School
12
26
25
13
14
13
Grangemouth High School
n/a
25
24
n/a
n/a
4
Hawick High School
n/a
35
28
n/a
n/a
6
Inveralmond Community High School
14
35
26
12
21
13
Leith Academy
14
34
28
14
20
13
Liberton High School
10
26
23
13
16
13
Lornshill Academy
n/a
27
22
n/a
n/a
4
Newbattle Community High School
12
17
15
3
5
13
Ross High School
16
26
28
12
10
13
Tynecastle High School
23
21
21
-2
-2
7
Wester Hailes Education Centre
3
20
8
5
17
13
Whitburn Academy
19
33
26
7
14
7
Group One Schools (%)
Table 3 and 4 notes: The data in both tables is based on the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) statistical reports produced by Skills Development Scotland.
12
Progression to Higher Education – Group 2 Table 4
Group Two Schools (%)
Baseline 2013-14 5 Year 5 yr 1 yr Previously 1996-2000 Ave against against Group 1 2010- baseline baseline 2014
Balerno Community High School
46
53
49
3
7
Bathgate Academy
24
42
32
8
18
Beeslack Community High School
37
29
36
-1
-8
Berwickshire High School
n/a
45
37
n/a
n/a
Boroughmuir High School
52
61
64
12
9
Broughton High School
21
40
33
12
19
Broxburn Academy
18
37
32
14
19
Craigmount High School
34
47
43
9
13
Currie Community High School
39
47
48
9
8
Dalkeith High School
20
31
29
9
11
Deans Community High School
19
39
31
12
20
Dunbar Grammar School
29
42
42
13
13
Earlston High School
n/a
50
47
n/a
n/a
Firrhill High School
32
56
54
22
24
Galashiels Academy
n/a
40
32
n/a
n/a
Holy Rood RC High School
16
36
32
16
20
James Gillespie’s High School
46
58
55
9
12
James Young High School
22
40
38
16
18
ü
Jedburgh Grammar School
n/a
44
28
n/a
n/a
ü
Kelso High School
n/a
43
45
n/a
n/a
Knox Academy
41
40
43
2
-1
Lasswade High School Centre
24
29
33
9
5
Linlithgow Academy
49
54
58
9
5
Musselburgh Grammar School
20
30
26
6
10
North Berwick High School
52
62
57
5
10
Peebles High School
n/a
48
47
n/a
n/a
Penicuik High School
32
42
43
11
10
Portobello High School
27
41
39
12
14
Preston Lodge High School
24
39
34
10
15
Queensferry Community High School
33
42
42
9
9
Royal High School
39
52
51
12
13
Selkirk High School
n/a
35
35
n/a
n/a
St Augustine’s High School
30
31
32
2
1
St David’s RC High School
22
30
27
5
8
St Kentigern’s Academy
26
40
36
10
14
St Margaret’s Academy
25
54
49
24
29
St Thomas of Aquin’s High School
34
60
54
20
26
Trinity Academy
24
26
33
9
2
West Calder High School
28
43
38
10
15
ü
ü
ü
ü
13
LEAPS Financial Report September 2013 to August 2014 LEAPS core contributions are provided by its local council and university partners and amounted to £288,481 in 2013/14. The LEAPS Management Group considered that it remained prudent to continue to set aside a redundancy contingency fund and this was done before the budget was set for 2013/14. Income was augmented by continuation of funding provided by The Scottish Funding Council for delivery of the Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP) of £285,825. SHEP operates across 19 schools in the South East region of Scotland and this funding provided delivery, development, management and reporting of SHEP activities in the South East region of Scotland. LEAPS would like to thank its partners whose staff provide valuable in-kind contributions throughout the year. This includes the support of The University of Edinburgh who provided Finance, IT Support and Human Resource services for the LEAPS team. The table below shows actual expenditure against budgeted spend for the year along with a note of the previous year’s actual spend for comparison purposes.
Expenditure
Actual spend total - Sep 2013 to Aug 2014
Budget
Variance
Staffing Costs
£395,600.86
£419,708
£24,107.14
£402,602.87
General Budget
£33,565.75
£60,551
£26,985.25
£33,744.50
Schools Programme
£28,108.70
£71,490
£43,381.30
£8,547.79
Summer School
£70,267.22
£124,870
£54,602.78
£85,030.23
Non Recurrent
£10,027.01
£40,570
£30,542.99
£3,932.96
£537,569.54
£717,189
£179,619.46
£533,858.35
Totals
Actual spend total - Sep 2012 to Aug 2013
Please note that the above table includes all expenditure for the delivery across all 59 LEAPS schools (including all SHEP activities and costs).
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Conclusion The annual report offers an insight into the volume of work and effort put in by the LEAPS team and partners in pursuit of our aims and objectives.
SHEP review and future steps Widening access to higher education remains a high priority for the Scottish Government, and as a result the Scottish Funding Council has been reviewing SHEP over the past few months. In reporting to the review body, the South-East Scotland SHEP Management Group made three main recommendations. Firstly, SHEP should recognise that even within schools where progression to HE remains low, there are some schools where increasing progression rates remains a greater challenge than in others. Acknowledging this through an even more targeted approach should be considered. Secondly, in reporting and monitoring activity, results and strategy it is important to add significant data where it is available, for example; taking account of attainment statistics in conjunction with those measuring progression to HE. This gives a more detailed perspective of the overall progress within the schools in which LEAPS works. Lastly, it was suggested that other SFC funded programmes e.g. Reach and ACES, should work in a coordinated fashion with SHEP, this includes looking at the meeting and reporting structure. The review will have progressed through the various SFC committee stages by spring 2015 and we await the outcome with interest, as the recommendation of the review will impact on all LEAPS activity.
LEAPS future developments for 2014-15 In 2014-15, LEAPS is currently exploring how to adapt practice and delivery to make the most of digital technologies. This research is being undertaken by James Lamb, Assistant Director and will be reported on in late spring/early summer 2015. A second tracking research programme is currently in the planning stages and a pilot project should be ready for reporting in early summer 2015. LEAPS is currently looking into best practice examples in other areas of the UK to support further development. Looking at the evidence of positive results from good practice, analysing research or conducting reviews of current practice remains the best way of adapting new models of delivery. To that end LEAPS continues to innovate to support the students. The S5 Interview programme, Creative Extras and the Academic Skills programme in Summer School are now embedded. 2014-15 and 201516 are shaping up to be very interesting and progressive years for LEAPS. For now however, the most significant development will be the outcome of the SHEP review. I would like to thank all of our partners for their continued commitment and support for LEAPS and I look forward to reporting on developments and delivery for 2014-2015. Ged Lerpiniere Director, LEAPS May 2015
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LEAPS is a partnership of the following organisations:
THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
City of Edinburgh Council East Lothian Council Midlothian Council Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Napier University Queen Margaret University SRUC The University of Edinburgh Skills Development Scotland The Scottish Funding Council Scottish Borders Council West Lothian Council
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The LEAPS Office 34 Buccleuch Place Edinburgh, EH8 9JS t: 0131 650 4676 e: leaps@ed.ac.uk twitter: @leaps1996 www.leapsonline.org