New city partnership determined to push up education standards

Sheffield Council leaders say that, as schools are being encouraged by the Government to become independent academies, this can lead to schools operating on their own feeling “isolated and left out of key decisions about education in the city”.

As a result, it was announced yesterday that a City Wide Learning Body has been established, to give everyone from headteachers and governors to parents and pupils a say in how education is delivered across Sheffield.

The majority of schools in Sheffield, including academies and trust schools, have now signed up to what is being described as a “unique” partnership.

Sheffield Council leader, Coun Julie Dore, said: “The future of our children is everyone’s responsibility.

“I am proud that as a city we are taking this ambitious approach and sharing this common theme, to make education better for all children in the city.

“We all have a role to play in how education is delivered here in Sheffield, whether this is as parents, teachers, governors or city council leaders.

“With budgets being stretched to the limit this is exactly the time to get it right and work together.

“Ideas need to be shared and we need to learn together about what does work and ultimately what doesn’t.

“Delivering excellence in education for every child, every day, in every school, must be our shared moral purpose.”

Dr Sonia Sharp, executive director of Sheffield Council’s children’s services department, said: “Frankly my main interest is not what structure a school is – be it an academy, trust or maintained school – rather how we raise standards.

“Our priority is that schools still feel like they are part of the city, can draw on the support and specialism of their peers, and have a greater say in key decisions on how education is being run in Sheffield.

“That is why we came up with the concept of the City Wide Learning Body.

“We want all children and young people in Sheffield to have a world-class education that gives them the best possible start in life and prepares them fully for the future.

“The only way to do this is to make sure we all share a common goal, to give the best education service across the whole city.”

Coun Jackie Drayton, Sheffield Council’s cabinet member for children, described the scheme as a “fantastic and exciting new venture”.

She added: “I firmly believe this partnership will really make a difference.

“I believe the City Wide Learning Body will provide a new more equal partnership that will make a massive difference to our city, its children, young people and families, and its regeneration.

“Our commitment, shared by all of the educational community in our city, is one of aspiration.

“This move shows we are determined to never give up on young people, their families, or their communities.

“However, we recognise we start from a challenging position.

“While standards of attainment have risen over the recent years, this has been from a very low baseline and they are still not high enough.

“Transforming the educational attainment of Sheffield’s children and young people requires a new approach and relationship with the school system – one that fosters autonomy while maintaining a collective spirit and common approaches.”

“We believe a City Wide Learning Body, where all schools are members, will provide a new more equal partnership that will make a massive difference to our city and its regeneration.”

One of the first tasks of the new committee will be to develop a new education plan for Sheffield.