Education leaders in Plymouth are welcoming the announcement that the city has been selected to pioneer a new approach to driving up attainment and standards in schools through greater place-based collaboration.
The Department for Education has announced that Plymouth will be one of four areas in the country selected to benefit from the new initiative and share the £10 million to be invested in supporting schools in improving the attainment of children and young people.
The areas have been selected on evidence that they are likely to succeed in adopting the new place-based approach that will see schools collaborating with each other and working together to share priorities, expertise and experience.
The citywide effort will be led by experienced system leaders who will bring local partners together and the initiative will include schools and the network of multi academy trusts (MATs) in the city.
Schools most in need will benefit from the direct guidance of strong multi-academy trusts or access to an enhanced offer of support through the Department’s Trust and School Improvement offer.
In Plymouth priorities that have been identified by the local education community to address the local challenges in school improvement. This will build upon the work of the Plymouth secondary commission with a focus on improving secondary outcomes across the city. This will include MAT led support on school leadership, teaching and learning, curriculum and inclusion in order to improve.
Tracey Lee, Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council, said the announcement was good news for the city.
She said: “I am delighted that Plymouth is one of the first few areas to have been selected to take part in this significant national initiative.
“I am sure all education providers in the city share the excitement that Plymouth is recognised by the Government as an area that has good foundations with a place-based collaboration and is most likely to achieve success as a trailblazer of this national initiative.
“In Plymouth, we have developed a framework for a sustainable self-improvement system in which schools, maintained or academy, improve themselves by working in partnership with each other, the local authority and the Regional Schools Commissioner. This will mean that we can build on the improvements that are being made to make sure that children and young people are attending schools providing high quality education.
“There are many challenges in improving the educational achievements for all children and young people in Plymouth, and we do not underestimate these. This initiative will support us in facing these head on and achieving our vision that all children and young people in the city are able to aspire and achieve and have a bright future.”
Chief Executives of Multi Academy Trusts in Plymouth are welcoming the announcement.
Will Smith, CEO of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, said: “The Greenshaw Learning Trust welcomes today’s announcement by the Department for Education of funding to support Plymouth’s place-based approach to school improvement. We are committed to working collaboratively with the local authority, other Multi Academy Trusts and schools across Plymouth. This significant investment by the Department for Education in place-based, collaborative school improvement across the city will ensure continued and sustainable improvements in the life chances of Plymouth’s young people.”
Rob Haring, CEO of Westcountry Schools Trust, commented: “This additional investment from the Department for Education is terrific news for the city of Plymouth and its children. Westcountry Schools Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with other strong school trusts and the LA, with the collective aim of continuing to improve outcomes across the city. Through the adoption of a place-based approach to school improvement key partners will be able to provide a cohesive and sustainable journey of improvement.’
Gavin Gracie, Chief Executive of Transforming Futures Trust, said: “We very much welcome this new initiative. The team across Transforming Futures Trust are experts in providing special education that is flexible, supportive, and focussed on each individual’s needs. Many of our pupils are currently unable to attend their mainstream schools. We can only gain by closer collaboration with other schools and look forward to offering all the help and support we can where others would benefit.”
Dean Ashton, Chief Executive of Reach South, said: “This is hugely welcome news for Plymouth and we look forward to playing our part at Reach South. School improvement at scale has collaboration at its heart, and it’s clear that together we are greater than the sum of our parts. Taking a place-based approach across the whole city is exactly the right approach to tackling the educational challenges we all face and this investment will have a meaningful impact.
“There is already some great collaboration happening in Plymouth with academy trusts and the local authority working together on City-wide school improvement, and this funding will only help accelerate that work.”
Stuart Gardner, Chief Executive of Thinking Schools Academy Trust, of which Plymouth High School for Girls is part, said: “Thinking Schools Academy Trust and PHSG provide a high-quality learning experience with experienced, dedicated teachers who want the very best for young people - this funding is hugely welcome, and will help us and education leaders across Plymouth to further drive up standards in all schools in the city.
“Our Trust is focused on transforming life chances and we are pleased to be working together with other education leaders and with the City Council to share ideas and best practice in areas including school leadership, teaching and learning, curriculum, and inclusion. Today’s announcement will enable us to go further and faster.”