One Island - The Isle of Wight Council's Improvement Plan

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Campaign: Developing 14-19 education provision

Locations: Island wide

Background and Context:

Following the joint Area Review report of June 2006 and initial proposals by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Learning Skills Council (LLSC) the Policy Commission for Children and School Results began an inquiry into future provision for 14-19 education on the Island in September 2006.

This inquiry completed in early 2007 and was followed by a public consultation on the options in the Commission’s recommendations to the Cabinet. On April 23 2007 the Full Council took a decision, subject to the final approval of the Secretary of State, to change the scheme of school organisation to:

5 to 9 age range Primary schools
9 to 14 age range Middle schools
14 to 19 age range Learning Centres within a Trust.

This proposed new organisation overcomes the split of key stage 3, provides a 14-19 structure which ensures collaboration and co-operation and meets the developing national changes in the key stage 3 and 14-19 curriculum.

Our overall education provision has been classed as inadequate with particular concerns for 14-19 year olds. It is clear we all need to do more to raise the levels of achievement both for the future of young people on the Island and the Island itself.

Progress Report:

As part of developing provision for 14-19 education the Council had secured in September 2006 the opportunity to bid for a One School Pathfinder project (OSP). £30.5m external funding has now been secured from the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) and early design work for this new Learning Centre at Cowes has begun. A project board is in place and management agents have been appointed. It is intended that the Learning Centre will open at the end of 2009 or early 2010.
A project structure for the organisation of schools has been established and a project leader has been appointed. The development of a full project team will occur over the autumn period.
Following the decision of April 23 2007 Officers were charged to undertake further investigation into the needs to make the transfer of Year 9 to the middle phase a success. This work has seen further consultation with headteachers, staff and parents of pupils in the middle phase. Consultation with young people will occur in early September.
Development of the implementation plan, which will lead to the publication of Statutory Notices for each school affected by any change, is underway.

Activities for the Next Period:
The immediate task is the finalising and publication, subject to Member approval, of the school organisation implementation plan. At this stage it is intended that this plan will be before the Lead Member for Children and School Results at the end of September 2007. This will be followed by the preparation and publication of the Statutory Notices.

The timescale shown below sets out the key steps since April 23 2007 and the stages until implementation.