Education Plans & Policies
In 2006, the former County Council initiated a
review of school structures to determine whether or not to continue
with the three-tier system of lower, middle and upper schools.
Following consultation, it was decided that the existing structure
would stay but, in order to strengthen school improvement in the
County, members charged officers with the responsibility of
producing a plan for the support and development of school
improvement. Following a process of consultation in the autumn term
2006, the plan was agreed by the full County Council and is now
operational.
The plan comprises 11 themes each of which
addresses key aspects of school improvement. These include sections
on Continual Professional Development (CPD), support to schools
causing concern, sections on raising standards and activities to
support the development of ICT. The plan also recognises the key
role of leadership in schools and the need to foster good
governance. It is broad in scope and draws on the full education
community in schools and within the centrally based services of the
authority. The plan has been shared with officials of the
Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and was very well
received.