The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust has always embraced the vision that people should have the knowledge, skills and understanding to fulfil themselves and to contribute effectively to society. Alongside the desire to build and enable a world-class network of innovative high performing secondary schools, the SSAT firmly believes that we cannot educate young people without a real and significant international dimension to their learning experience. At the same time vocational learning is a key element of the system, generating the technical skills of an advanced economy so that everyone can have a pathway to success and continued employment.

Within a broad and balanced curriculum, high quality vocational learning should be available to all young people aged 14-19. It is fundamental to their preparation for working life. Key factors for success include the inevitable basics such as reliable attendance and an interest in the course, while adaptability to  different learning styles and workload are equally important.

The SSAT sees the government’s move to invite high performing specialist schools to take on leading roles at redesignation as an exciting opportunity to focus on vocational developments, enlightened by the wider promotion of international partnerships.

High performing specialist schools are expected to use their specialism as a focus for meeting the new requirements through vocational education, the community plan and links with sponsors and local businesses and other organisations. They will support developments in vocational education which not only contribute towards achieving national and regional targets, but assist in qualifying the workforce to meet industry’s needs.

The SSAT will encourage high performing specialist schools to support all their partners in embedding international activities into their work, particularly through effective networking, sharing best practice and the wider promotion of the international dimension. Linking between international partners in this way will make a real contribution to realising the country’s vision for vocational learning.

European professional development opportunities

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is coordinating a European project supporting schools’ development of best practice in the delivery of vocational education and the creation of sustainable European partnerships.

What will be involved?

Experienced schools and organisations lead visits to partner schools, employers and other organisations throughout Europe which involve meetings and discussions, together with observation, analysis and the evaluation of practices relating to provision across the relevant subject areas.