New strategy will raise school standards even higher

Thursday, 29 July 2021 09:49

A new strategy aims to drive further improvements in Wolverhampton's schools and early years' settings.

The Education Excellence Strategy 2021-24, approved by the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet last night (Wednesday 28 July), replaces the School Improvement Strategy 2018-21, which itself has had a hugely positive impact on pupils.

Latest data shows that 87% of schools in Wolverhampton with an Ofsted judgement are rated either Good or Outstanding, up from 79% four years ago. At the same time, there has been a sustained improvement in educational outcomes for pupils.

The new Education Excellence Strategy, written in partnership with school and other leaders, seeks to build on this success and, for the first time, includes Early Years settings as well as maintained and academy schools.

The strategy will enable the council to monitor the performance of schools and ensure that, where improvements are necessary, these are carried out effectively.

It highlights the importance of good governance, the training and development of school staff and closer collaboration between schools, including targeted peer to peer reviews which are seen as pivotal to helping schools improve.

And it is underpinned by a commitment to promote and advance equality of access and opportunity across all settings, to ensure no child or young person is left behind and to enable the best possible outcomes for all.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "Our city's schools, with the support of the council, have done a tremendous job to raise standards and improve outcomes over recent years, and in particular through the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The coming years will no doubt bring about changes to the education system but, whatever these may be, I know that schools and early years' settings will continue to strive for education excellence so that our city's children and young people have outstanding opportunities at every stage of their education, from early years through to sixth form.

“This strategy will support that drive, and our wider ambitions to regenerate and re-light our city."