Lancashire County Council: Four stars out of four January 2006 (*Audit Commission 2005) Providing • schools • highways • trading standards • social services p3 Top stars HAPPY AT HOME join county After 40 years in her family home, Annie is staying put parade p4/5 Lancashire County Council wishes all residents a prosperous and successful New Year Council YOUR KIDS passes English ... UP ‘tougher maths ... UP ’ science ... SAME test LANCASHIRE County Coun- cil has achieved the top four ARE THE stars rating from the Audit Commission. This time the council, which previously gained the coveted ‘Excellent’ status, faced a new Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) known as ‘the Harder Test’ – a tougher set of tests to see how well local authorities are performing. The CPA measures how well local coun- cils are delivering and improving services TOPS to local people and communities. STAR pupils in Lancashire have widened a primary school gap between themselves and pupils elsewhere in the fundamental skills of English, maths and sci- ence. This year’s national “league table” figures show that pupils in the county’s schools beat national averages in all three subjects – and did so by a widening margin year on year. The Key Stage 2 figures for the final primary school year show 81 per cent of children passing in English, 77.49 per cent in maths and 87 per cent in science. Statistics for the nation as a whole are respec- tively 79, 75 and 86. County Councillor Alan Whittaker, Cabinet member for Schools, said: “Children in the final AMBITION: Hazel Harding primary year are at an absolutely vital stage in their education. County Councillor Hazel Harding, the “They will soon be starting high leader of Lancashire County Council, school which is the gateway to suc- said: “This is brilliant news for the cess academically and in careers. 1.3million people who receive our servic- We read too often of pupils who fail es. to make the transition from pri- “Our hard working and committed staff mary to secondary school. In have helped us gain this rating. Without Lancashire, however, we can take their tireless efforts we would not be able pride that we are preparing chil- to give our residents the high quality dren as well as is possible. WIDENING gap: Alan Whittaker. services they have come to expect. “These are great results and the level of ability shown by pupils “The Audit Commission also rated us as maintain the momentum we have when they first start at the school. ‘improving well’. This means that as well been building now for a number of It recognises that different social as achieving the top star rating we are years. They are a credit to staff as circumstances can produce differing also seen as ambitious and capable of well as pupils.” academic results. even more.” This year’s figures in Lancashire Councillor Whittaker added: “We HAPPY children are successful chil- when it comes to “adding value” – a measure of This test also looks at a council’s poten- are an advance on last year, as well have always had good results in dren at one of Lancashire’s top pri- how much children improve over the years and tial to continue improving – known as as being ahead of schools in other Lancashire and this reflects many a more accurate reflection of what a school actu- their ‘direction of travel’. Lancashire Local Education Authorities. years of heavy investment by this mary schools. ally does. County Council has been rated as The county’s schools did well in authority in schools. Julie Heath, headteacher at Pool House ‘improving well’ – an important achieve- Julie, pictured above with pupils, said: “It’s overall pass rates and also featured “I am particularly pleased at our Community Primary School, says the secret of ment as the authority has prided itself on in lists that focus on improvement performance in the value-added pupil success is sheer hard work and pure very hard to stop children here smiling as we continual development and setting high- and on value-added measures. tables as they give a truer reflection enjoyment. ensure they enjoy their work. That and much er standards. The value-added concept com- of achievement than simple raw Her Preston school features in Whitehall’s hard work on literacy and numeracy is preparing pares final achievement levels to data.” Key Stage 2 tables as one of Lancashire’s best children well for their move to high school.” The presence of promotional leaflets delivered inside Vision does not imply Lancashire County Council endorsement. READERS’ LETTERS 4 WIN A HAMPER 4 BEAT THE CASH BLUES 7 2 January 2006 Providing • nurseries • pedestrian crossings www.lancashire.gov.uk Confident Carole’s lesson in life Drivers pass 50,000 changed for the better after signing venues are used across the county milestone with care up to learning at a Skelmersdale so everyone can get along. You too can school – she is a mum of three boys A leaflet at her sons’ school ROAD safety is to pass another milestone in and her course was in Parenting started Carole thinking about get on in life Pleasures. returning to the classroom for the Lancashire with the number of drivers The Lancashire Adult Learning Lancashire College course. CAROLE’S course was one of attending the county’s speed awareness coursework included guidance on She said: “The tutors gave great more than 6,000 run each year course nearing 50,000. behaviour. It worked a treat on her advice and tips and helped me by Lancashire Adult Learning. The sessions are offered to certain drivers who have boys – and on other adults too! produce a plan to try out at home. There’s bound to be one suited marginally broken the speed limit as an alternative to She said: “I didn’t know what to “It worked with dramatic results to you. penalty points on their licence. expect. I thought the tutors would – not only on the children, but on It’s simple to check … However the course, which is run by highly qualified Lancaster, Fylde, Wyre tell me what to do and I’d decided the other adult in the family! driving instructors, is not an easy option. not to go back if I didn’t like it. “I’d tried everything with my 01524 60141 Motorists are taught to be more aware of the dangers “But it was really informal and boys and nothing worked as well as Preston, South Ribble, Chorley, caused by excessive speed and the consequences of everyone was chatting about their this. West Lancashire breaking limits. Neil Cunliffe, Lancashire County Council Road Safety practical experience. I’d “They are better behaved and 01257 276719 recommend adult education to have more responsibility around Group manager, said: “Driving too fast was the main anyone.” the home. Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, cause of 1,200 deaths and more than 20,000 serious Courses exist across Lancashire, “I now have so much more Ribble Valley, Rossendale injuries in the UK last year. ADULT studies really worked ranging from basic literacy and confidence. I can’t believe what a 01772 799120 “The fact that 50,000 people have been on the speed for busy mum Carole Hart. numeracy to skills for life and even difference a simple course can awareness course since 2001 means that more people Carole (32) found her life mobile phone use. More than 700 make.” www.lal.lancashire.gov.uk have become safer drivers.” Advertising feature Goodbye and Protecting thankyou! children from Sadly, this will be my last message as Chairman of the Lancashire Children’s Fund. But there have been wonderful moments of pure joy – when children have I shall be moving away from Lancashire and alcohol allowed me to share their happiness; and when I although I am very much looking forward to the have seen families come through adversity to The young person’s Alcohol Project is funded by excitement and challenge of fresh pastures, I shall become much closer and stronger. Lancashire Children’s Fund and Lancashire County go with some regrets at leaving a place and Council’s Crime & Disorder budget. The aim is to provide people I have come to know and love. I send my very best wishes to the Lancashire a county-wide approach to tackling alcohol related issues • Lancashire Youth Offending Team Children’s Fund and the agencies, organisations in local communities. • Lancashire Children’s Fund My association with the Lancashire Children’s and partners who work alongside them. Long • LCC Policy Unit Fund has been a most rewarding experience. The project involves all the key agencies within may your valuable work continue. • Lancashire Drug Action Team There have been times when the stories of the Lancashire and is managed by a steering group with hardships faced by children and parents have And I wish the children and families representatives from: The project aims are: • Social Services been difficult to comprehend. of Lancashire a very Happy New Year! • To raise awareness of alcohol issues • Trading Standards • To develop best practice to tackle local issues • Youth & Community Service • To improve cross-agency co-ordination • Schools’ Advisory Service • Voluntary Sector All of these are geared towards promoting the • Lancashire Constabulary development of services for young people and the local Getting to GRIP • Primary Care Trusts communities of Lancashire. with crime GRIP is a short-term intervention programme for Children are referred to GRIP by professionals or children and young people on the threshold of becoming parents through a widely available referral form which Age Check is an interactive CD Rom produced in involved in crime or anti social behaviour, and aims to identifies recognised risk factors that may increase the partnership by the Alcohol Project, Trading Standards, divert them from developing patterns of persistent or chances of a child, or young person becoming an Lancashire Constabulary and the Lancashire Drug Action more serious offending.