Practitioner's perceptions of learner re-engagement of school excluded 14-19 year olds in South Wales

Abstract

Young people becoming disengaged from education is a widespread problem in South Wales and can have dire consequences which can affect them for the rest of their lives This study investigated the issue of young people being disengaged from education by interviewing practitioners on the strategies they use to re-engage young people and by undertaking observations in community education settings to observe these strategies taking place, The interviews and observations generated qualitative data. The practitioners interviewed were a mix of those working in Cardiff and those working in Rhondda Cynon Taff. The observations were also carried out in Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taff. This study examined the differences in their approach to re-engaging young people. The main issues explored were the barriers which young people living in relatively disadvantaged areas face with participation in education and the importance of vocation education and community education in South Wales. The results of this study were to a similar extent as expected and conclude that there are various barriers which young people face with paficipation although all of the practitioners felt that young people disengage mainly because of the growing culture, particularly in communities in South Wales, of people not working and so do not see the importance of education and its relevance in their lives. Although the government has put strategies in place to widen participation they need to find a more effective way of ensuring that these external factors do not affect a young person's education.