COUNCIL MEETING, 21 JULY 2005

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

EDUCATION

PART II

AFFILIATION TO THE SPECIALIST SCHOOLS TRUST

1. The Executive Member for Education has supported the affiliation of the County Council to the Specialist Schools Trust (SST). The SST was established in 1987 to support schools in their initial application for specialist school designation, to develop collaborative networks and for the dissemination of good practice. It is funded by the Government, by affiliation fees from individual schools, and by sponsorship from the business world.

2. The County Council is committed to inclusive education, whilst recognising the benefits that specialist school status brings to collaborative working. By 2006, it is estimated that 61 of Hampshire's 71 secondary schools will have achieved designation. Currently 55 schools are designated covering specialisms in Arts; Business and Enterprise; Engineering; Humanities; Languages; Mathematics and Computing; Music; Science; Sports and Technology.

3. The Council's working relationship with the SST will give it the opportunity to develop more coherent networks locally, encourage the dissemination of effective working across all schools and ensure that examples of good practice in all key stages have the support and validation of the county. The affiliation will enhance a partnership approach to the support already offered to schools by the SST and the Local Authority. Also, it will help to clarify roles which both the County and SST play in helping schools to secure and retain specialist status by working more closely with the SST. Finally, it will help achieve a strategic balance of subjects across the county and will place Hampshire in the forefront of such collaborative work nationally.

4. The above decision supports aim 1 (maximising life opportunities) and aim 5 (improving services) of the Corporate Strategy through the development of collaborative working to raise standards and pupil attainment and by providing a more effective service to schools and their wider community.

DAVID KIRK

Executive Member for Education

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