Contact: Ian Beacham, telephone 01962 846367, email [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report proposes that the County Council should affiliate to the Specialist Schools Trust [ SST ] so that it is in a stronger position to co-ordinate the support of secondary schools and the work of networks that exist between them. The proposal contained within this report supports the County Council's Corporate Aim 1 : maximising life opportunities, and Aim 5 : improving services. These will be achieved through the development of collaborative working to support the raising of standards and pupil attainment and by providing a more effective service to schools and the wider community.

2 Background

2.1 The Specialist Schools Trust (SST) was established in 1987 (it was formally the City Technology Trust), under the chairmanship of Sir Cyril Taylor. The purpose of the SST is to support schools in their initial application for specialist school designation, to develop collaborative networks and the dissemination of good practice. The SST is funded by the government, by affiliation fees from individual schools, and by sponsorship from the business world.

2.2 The specialist schools programme was re-launched in July 1997, following the publication of the White Paper `Excellence in Schools' which expressed the government's aim for all secondary schools to become specialist schools. The programme has since been expanded enabling all schools with secondary aged pupils to apply for this status. The specialist schools programme is central both to the government's goal of increasing diversity and to improving standards in secondary education. Specialist schools are required to work across the age phases with their families of schools, to develop excellent practice and promote high achievement.

3 Current Position

3.1 A report to the Education Policy Review Committee [ PRC] 13th July 2004 set out the County Council's strategic position on the development of specialist schools within Hampshire. The County Council remains committed to comprehensive, non-selective and inclusive education, whilst recognising the benefits that specialist school status brings to collaborative working.

3.2 It is estimated that, by 2006, 68 of Hampshire's 71 secondary schools will have achieved specialist designation; currently 55 schools are designated, covering the range of all ten specialisms [ appendix 1 ], with another 13 schools working towards designation. The DFES is also encouraging schools who have successfully completed four years as a designated specialist school to adopt a second specialism, in Hampshire so far three schools have taken up this option. Special schools with secondary aged pupils are also being encouraged to apply for specialist status. Currently there are four such schools in Hampshire which are in the process of developing applications.

3.3 The County Council believes that specialist status not only helps schools to improve their physical environment and facilities in a specific area, but also enhances learning in all subjects. Designation may be used to enhance the school's capacity to support the needs of those students with particular talents and specific needs, as well as the performance of all students.

3.4 In addition, the County Council believes that specialist schools have a role to play in the development and promotion of good practice. Key to the success of this dissemination is collaborative working between specialist and non specialist schools, and post 16 providers. This can involve local consortium arrangements, networks both within and external to the county and subject specific networks within Hampshire.

3.5 Some networks already exist and are operating successfully, whilst others are still in the planning stage. In addition, the SST supports its own network of specialist schools both at area and national level. Schools which are affiliated to the SST have the opportunity to receive national material and information and to access the network of 2,300 nationally affiliated schools.

4 Hampshire's affiliation to the Specialist Schools Trust

4.1 Previously only individual schools could affiliate to the SST, now applications are welcomed from local authorities. Such affiliation would offer the county the same advantages in terms of information and networking as are currently enjoyed by individual specialist schools.

4.2 The partnership for school improvement which this affiliation would establish will be a powerful force in encouraging and supporting networks that are committed to innovation. The transformation of schools as they evolve in response to the Children Act is a County Council priority. The validation of effective practice in schools is a key aspect.

4.3 The County Council wishes to form a working relationship with the SST. Such a partnership would give the County Council an opportunity to :

· developing more coherent networks locally;

· encouraging the dissemination of effective practice across all secondary schools not only amongst specialist schools, so that the whole community of schools in Hampshire can benefit.

· ensuring that examples of good practice in all key stages, but particularly at Key Stages 2 and 3, have the support and validation of the county.

4.4 Affiliation will further benefit the County by:

· enhancing a partnership approach to the support already offered to schools by the SST and the local authority, as more secondary schools move towards specialist status;

· clarify the roles which both the county and SST play in helping schools to secure and retain specialist status;

· work more closely with the SST and schools seeking second specialisms, in order to achieve a strategic balance of subjects across the county;

· placing Hampshire in the forefront of such collaborative work nationally.

5 Legal implications

5.1 None.

6 Financial implications

6.1 The cost for the County Council of affiliation is £2,000 per annum, which can be met within existing resources.

7 Personnel implicati
ons.

7.1 None

8 Impact assessment

8.1 Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of

this report and no adverse implications has been identified

9 Crime prevention issues

9.1 Not applicable.

10 Views of the Local County Councillor

10.1 Not applicable.

Recommendations

1 That the Executive Member for Education supports the affiliation of the County Council to the Specialist Schools Trust.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

List:

1. Education Policy Review Committee report 13th July 2004 - Specialist Schools and Collaborative Working.

2. A Strategy for Developing 14 - 19 Education and Training As A Single Phase. A strategy document produced by Hampshire County Council and the Learning and Skill Council for Hampshire and Isle of Wight

3. Education Policy Review Committee report 15^th March 2005 - Education in Hampshire in the Secondary Years

Appendix 1.

The range of specialisms from which schools can currently apply for designation are :

1. Arts

2. Business and Enterprise

3. Engineering

4. Humanities

5. Languages

6. Mathematics and Computing

7. Music

8. Science

9. Sports

10. Technology.