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. Need2. Program Design3. Partnerships4. Capacity5. 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