Local Solutions Year 12 Retention FundGrant Application Guidelines – Round Two

September 2013

OverviewLocal Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund

• $5 million over four years (2012 - 2015)• Two rounds of two year grants to government, Catholic and

independent P-12 and secondary schools, including specialist schools, in rural and regional Victoria

• Funding for localised programs and initiatives that improve school retention rates and expand on the range of pathway options for senior students

• Round Two open from 4 September, close 5pm 24 October 2013

• Implementation for 2 years - 2014 and 2015• Clusters or groups of schools encouraged to apply

Purpose of the Grants Program• Fund programs or initiatives that are:

locally-driven, and demonstrate how they will improve rates of Year 12 retention in

rural and regional areas

• Enhance capacity for regional and rural schools to achieve: improved educational options and opportunities for secondary

students improved student well-being increased capacity to tailor programs to specific abilities or

aspirations increased opportunities to support students in the transition to

further education, training and/or employment

Purpose of the Grants Program

Grants should complement other initiatives in regional Victoria including:

• Towards Victoria as a Learning Community

• Refocusing Vocational Training in Victoria

• Skilling the Bay

• Skilling the Valley

• Regional Partnerships Facilitation Fund

Eligibility• Open to Victorian secondary and P-12 colleges and specialist

schools located in non-metropolitan areas, including Catholic and Independent schools

• Schools located in the former non-metropolitan regions

• Applications from:

clusters or groups of schools within the same community, and

those that demonstrate collaborative approaches across sectors, including community sector

are strongly encouraged.

• Cluster or partnership applications should nominate a lead school and be endorsed by the School Council President and principal of the lead school.

Application Process

• Round Two Application Form template and Guidelines can be found on http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/partnerships/pages/yr12retentionfund.aspx

• Applications to be submitted by email

• Application submissions close 5pm on 24 OCTOBER 2013

• Late applications will not be accepted

• Enquiries should be directed to youth.transitions@edumail.vic.gov.au

Assessment of Applications

Selection Criteria:1. Need

2. Program Design

3. Partnerships

4. Capacity

5. Sustainability– Address all relevant selection criteria and provide

relevant supporting material where appropriate– Complete the budget section– Grants $50,000 - $150,000 over two years– Larger grants may be considered

Funded Activities• New strategies or expansion of existing strategies that will

reduce barriers to retention, such as:

supporting the capacity of the school to engage in partnerships to expand pathway options;

extending curriculum options;

the delivery of expanded learning options including vocational pathways;

the development of mentoring programs;

initiatives that build on parent engagement in their child’s education outcomes; and

vocational training programs that support better student outcomes, including for those at risk of early leaving.

Non-Funded Activities

• Capital/building works

• Replication of activities funded by other programs

• Staffing only when able to demonstrate capacity for sustainability

• Core focus Year 10-12 retention and expanding pathway options

• Year 7-9 may be considered if evidence provided on benefits to retention

Conditions

• Funding provided in a staged manner over 2 year duration• Lead school will receive the funds• 6 monthly reports• Recipient/s must participate in evaluation • Recipient schools must incorporate initiatives in annual

school plans• Grant money must be expended by 31 December 2015• Any unused monies must be returned to the Department • The Department reserves the right to use all or part of any

material

Reporting Schedule

Report Date Required

1st progress report 30 June 2014

2nd progress report 7 December 2014

3rd progress report 28 June 2015

Final Report 1 November 2015