The Learning Partnership It is vital that the plans for Hull’s schools are not drawn up by just a few people. The skills and experience of everyone involved in education in Hull must be taken into account. That is why a new Learning Partnership involving a wide range of advisors from across the City was formed to consider education provision in Hull. It has focused on meeting the needs of every child to make sure they are included, can learn about things that interest them, can be helped to get the very best out of school and can become our workers and leaders of the future. The following people have worked together to produce the ideas in this booklet. Members of the Learning Partnership/Stakeholders • Headteachers of Secondary Schools • Roman Catholic Diocese • Headteachers of Special Schools • Humber Sports Partnership • Headteachers of Primary Schools • Director of Children and Young • Heads of Pupil Referral Units People’s Services • Chairs of Governors of Secondary • Head of Learning, Leisure & Schools Achievement, Development and • Chairs of Governors of Special Schools Renewal Services Chairs of Governors of Primary Schools • Head Of Skills For Employability • Chairs of Governors/Management Board • Senior Managers of the City Council of Pupil Referral Units • Local Strategic Partnership • Wyke & Wilberforce Sixth Form Colleges • Gateway Housing Renewal • Hull College • Regeneration Partners • University of Hull • Local Business Partners • Learning and Skills Council • Sports, Arts & Culture Organisations • Church of England Diocese • BSF Team We would also like to thank all the political groups on the Council and the City’s three Members of Parliament who have also been consulted and offered suggestions in the drawing up of these plans. Now the learning partnership wants to hear from you! 1 Introducing “Building Our Future” Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a government scheme that will see over £220m invested in Hull’s schools. This Consultation Plan provides details of the improvements being suggested for Hull’s secondary and special schools. The funding is an investment in Hull’s school buildings which will ensure we have new facilities across the City aimed at transforming teaching and learning in Hull. Although buildings are important, so is good teaching, classroom discipline and a strong school ethos which makes sure the right subjects are being taught. To get this right we are committed to the continuous improvement of learning NOW for all children . The plan is to have the first two Academies open by September 2011, with all other secondary schools improved and modernised by September 2013 and all schools in the programme completed by September 2015. As a result: • You will notice a real difference and improvement to your child’s school • All future schools will offer first class standards • Schools across the City will work together to help each other to improve • Primary, secondary and post-16 education will be more joined-up • High quality teachers will want to stay and come to teach in Hull • Every child will have their own “learning file” to get them more involved • Children will have more fun in our schools The Learning Partnership now wants to hear your views on their ideas. You will find a ‘response’ page enclosed and details of some key consultation events, which we hope you can attend. We look forward to your views and to using them to start to make the improvements which you, your family and Hull deserve! Councillor Mike Ross Nigel Richardson Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Director of Children & Lifelong Learning Young People’s Services C.. on behalf of the Learning artnership and Stakeholders. 2 How Teaching and Learning Will Be Improved 0 new BLearning artnership’ involving Hull’s key educationalists has been working together since 2ovember 2006 on planning a new approach to learning for our children and young people. The aim is to transform our education system so that all Hull’s children can enjoy learning and achieving. This will give them greater opportunities in the future whatever they aim to do. The Learning artnership will continue to work together over time to make sure that education is continually improving to give Hull standards of learning to be proud of. 0s a result of improvements already being made and changes through these )S, plans, you will see real improvements in standards, with schools working together to support and develop learning across the City. There will be better links between primary, secondary and post-16 education. ersonalised learning will ensure more fun and interest for students so that they will want to come to school to learn and teachers will want to come to Hull to teach. “We must not build more of the same...” Hull’s exciting “)uilding Schools for the ,utureA programme will replace, rebuild or remodel all our secondary and special schools. The plan will: • Transform learning, skills and opportunity for every child • ersonalise learning to make school meaningful, safe and enjoyable for all • )uild a new approach not just replace old schools • Create a positive future for our children and their children3 “We are proud of our young people and of Hull” Hull’s future schools will not only offer the core subjects you would expect from a secondary school, teaching Maths, English, Science, 0rts and Languages, providing a full range of GCSEs and diplomas D but they will do so much more3 There will be a new focus on developing skills and employment training for 1E-19 year olds, improved leisure and sports facilities and more out-of-hours activities for use by both pupils and local communities. They will offer a number of services and facilities for adults as well as children to become “Learning CentresA where families and communities feel they can get high quality education. “Can we have more fun at school?” The Learning artnership wants school to be: • Enjoyable, achievable and challenging • Clear, understandable and meaningful • ersonal to each child to help them develop Headteachers are committed to working together to improve the transfer from primary to secondary school. This has already been successful in some of Hull’s schools by ensuring “taster sessionsA during /ear 6 and by having well supported, sometimes separate, /ear 7 blocks. We will build on this approach to make moving up to secondary school easier and less worrying for children. 3 0longside changes to school buildings, the Learning artnership is determined to deliver changes in the classroom. To make this happen Hull’s schools aim to recruit, develop and keep the very best teaching and support staff who can inspire students and make them proud of their achievements. We already have very dedicated and experienced staff, Governors and leaders and we will improve further by: • romoting the positive changes Hull is making when recruiting new staff • Supporting staff through training and development programmes and through recognition of their expertise • Listening and responding to what parents, pupils and others want us to improve • )uilding facilities to help pupils of all abilities to take part • Creating areas for young people to study, concentrate and socialise • Having specialist areas for creativity/arts or science/technology • .eveloping Blearning support’ to meet a whole range of needs “My child has some very special needs and must not miss out” 0ll Hull’s special schools are also included in the programme. upils with special and additional needs in Hull will be able to attend mainstream education but may also be able to choose specialist schools where, after assessment, that option is more appropriate. 1ur approach to special education will continue to be based on the principles of inclusion, access, flexibility and choice for children aged 2 to 19 years and their families. Colleagues from health, children’s and adult services, and specialist teams have taken part in planning for the future. We are keen to keep developing outreach services and extend specialist provision into other settings. We would like to offer short breaks and respite care in a different way, through play groups, youth clubs and educational visits and help young people to mature through improved relationships and by developing a range of hobbies and interests. 1ur aim is to improve how we work with young people and families in the future through partnerships and by listening, understanding and responding. “What opportunities will I have to stay on in education?” More than E,000 of our young people each year have achieved better outcomes through the three colleges 4Hull, Wyke and Wilberforce5, St Mary’s Sixth ,orm and training in the City. Many are learning in the workplace and through apprenticeships. This plan will support and strengthen this success for even more young people. Some may be supported in a school or 0cademy according to learning plans developed with the Learning and Skills Council and the City’s 1E-19 artnership. These will be helped to make the transition to post-16 learning, as will learners with special needs. The same partnership of colleges, trainers, schools and the Learning and Skills Council with the City Council, will ensure that new opportunities in the 1E-19 curriculum are coordinated for all. Continuing in education and training to 18 and beyond will become the norm and the University of Hull and other local colleges provide a clear route to higher education. 4 The Proposed Changes “I really would like to choose my local school” 0ll Hull’s schools will become more successful, appealing and accessible. We are determined for this to happen through high quality teaching, improved results and achievements, positive and welcoming environments and new and modern facilities to raise standards. We are confident that the transformation and improvements will attract all local families to choose Hull.