Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

EDUCATION

PART II

The proposals described in the following items support the Corporate Strategy Aims 1, 4 and 5.

LEIGH PARK EDUCATION ACTION ZONE - TRANSFORMATION TO EXCELLENCE CLUSTER

1. The Executive Member has given his approval to the proposal that the Education Action Zone covering the Primary and Secondary Schools in the Leigh Park area of Havant should be transformed into the Hampshire Excellence Cluster, with effect from 1 January 2005. This further initiative to improve standards of education has the support of the local County Councillors and represents the next stage in achieving further improvements in the local schools, to the benefit of children of all abilities. It will lead to the continued availability of resources in the form of Standards Fund Grants to be spent on the new priorities which will be set out in a Transformation Action Plan which is being prepared.

2. The Leigh Park Education Action Zone (EAZ) covers the fourteen primary schools, two secondary schools and one special school serving children in the area. It represents a collaborative venture between schools, the Local Education Authority and a Director who has coordinated the work of the EAZ and implemented its action plan. The strategic aims are school improvement, inclusion and the promotion of a learning community. The EAZ has been instrumental in achievements such as the establishment of Sure Start Children's Centres; the designation of one of the local secondary schools as a performing arts specialist school; and the beacon status awarded to Riverside Special School. The keys to the Zone's success have included its collective ethos; effective leadership; activities focused on needs; an enthusiasm for learning; multi-agency working; and investment of resources in areas such as ICT.

3. The opportunity now exists to build on these achievements by transforming the EAZ into an Excellence Cluster. A high-performing local secondary school, Wildern in Hedge End, has become involved with the schools in Leigh Park and has shared expertise, to their mutual benefit. The opportunity to continue joint working to promote further improvements in school standards will be supported by revenue funding in the form of Standards Fund grants amounting to some £660,000 in a full year. This funding runs for a period of 2 years and 3 months, and starts on 1 January 2005.

4. The priorities to be included in the Transformation Action Plan will reflect the present focus on school improvement, training and development and will feature inclusion units, learning mentors and provision for gifted/talented students. There will also be a focus on promoting a learning culture in an attempt to overcome low levels of oral and written communication skills. The proposed priorities and funding for the Excellence Cluster have the support of local schools and there will be continued close involvement by the County Council as Local Education Authority, both in the preparation of the Transformation Action Plan and in its implementation.

5. The Executive Member has no doubt that the proposed Excellence Cluster will make a further impact on the standards of education, learning and leadership achieved by schools in the Leigh Park area, has welcomed the continued availability of Standards Fund grant to achieve the objective of school improvement and has commended the active involvement of Wildern School. In view of the undoubted benefits, he has urged the Department for Education and Skills to extend the concept and funding for Excellence Clusters to other suitable areas in Hampshire where there are needs, demand and the ability to work together.