This strategy will set out the key priorities for education from 2016 to 2020.  It will detail the Council’s response to the Education white paper (March 2016) "Educational, Excellence, Everywhere".

(i)        that the Strategy for Educational Excellence Everywhere 2016/2020, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved;

(ii)       that the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Mayor, Executive Member for Adult’s and Children’s and key stakeholders, be authorised to make any final changes to the Strategy; and

(iii)      that the Group receive regular updates on performance.

The revised strategy sets out a vision for delivery of the Council’s educational support services, within a new phase of reforms that will see a significant shift in its role and responsibilities.

The challenge for local authorities is that the reform programme has removed many of the levers to direct change whilst leaving the duties imposed unchanged. As a consequence, change can only be achieved through collaboration and brokerage within a complex network of provider and stakeholder relationships.

The revised strategy sets out a proactive approach that seeks to maximise our influence and involvement in the development of education provision within the context of national reform and legislative powers.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on Tuesday, 1 November 2016 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Torbay now has a diverse economy of educational providers across primary, secondary and post 16 phases, including maintained schools, academies, special, studio and grammar schools. Alongside the programme of structural reform that created academies, studio and free schools that are accountable to central rather than local government, there has been a sustained programme of qualification and curriculum reform.

In March 2016, the Department for Education set out its vision for further educational reforms which will require Torbay Council to refresh its own approach towards working with local schools to further improve outcomes for children and young people. More recently, the Government has announced its intention to allow the creation of more Grammar schools. Although the detail of the Government’s proposal has yet to be published, Grammar schools are already a feature of the local offer and should not materially impact on the strategy.

The revised strategy sets out a vision for the delivery of the Council’s educational support services within a significantly changed operating landscape. A copy of the strategy and associated action plan was attached in Appendix 1 to the submitted report. The action plan will be populated in partnership with schools and key stakeholders to ensure a consistent and shared approach towards improvement activity.

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