The London Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has awarded Tribal a new contract to assess the feasibility of a London Virtual Academy which will support improvements in educational provision for 14-19 year-olds across London.

Tribal Technology is partnering Tribal Education to carry out a study into the practicalities of providing a virtual academy that offers additional resources to students who cannot necessarily get access to specialist teaching or who want to enhance their learning through the use of learning technology.

The concept of a London Virtual Academy is proposed as a potential solution to many of the problems experienced by inner city schools in providing specialist support and additional subject teaching because their schools have been unable to recruit suitably qualified staff. It would also be a vehicle for introducing new, effective approaches to learning and teaching, through the online medium.

The scoping study will concentrate on the options available to such a project and the elements which need to be put into place to ensure success for the academy, the areas of interest to the study are:

• Learning and teaching
• Business
• Organisation
• Technology

Tribal Technology will use its experience and expertise on similar projects such as the South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme and the National Science Learning Centres to consult on learning, teaching and e-learning technology and Tribal Education will address the business and finance aspects to the project.

For more information, contact Bob Banks, Senior e-Learning Consultant, Tribal Technology 0114 2816100 bob.banks@tribaltechnology.co.uk or visit http://www.londoncentrallsc.gov.uk/.