Objectives
Equal educational achievement
We will:
• work to make sure there are equal opportunities in Leeds and that we raise standards for everyone; • continue to focus on the learning needs of black and
ethnic-minority children and those who are at risk of being excluded (in particular boys);
• encourage a culture of learning and achievement for all children, making sure we achieve high levels of attendance, good behaviour and achievement; and • support children and young people who have
special learning needs or disabilities.
Improving numeracy, literacy and levels of achievement by young people throughout the city
We will:
• meet or do better than government targets in English, maths and science;
• build on excellence in early-years education and primary schools;
• make sure that young people have the opportunity to progress through a new secondary-school curriculum which reflects young people’s interests and ambitions; • offer a curriculum for 14- to 19-year-olds which
meets the needs of individuals and the skills needed for a modern economy;
• make sure that learning is centred on the learner using the resources of everyone who can help, not just an individual school; and
• make sure that every young person succeeds at 16, whether in employment, training or education, and achieves their full potential.
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Making sure that strong and effective schools are at the heart of communities
We will:
• create schools that are at the heart of vibrant communities, providing an environment which young people, their parents and the wider community will value and support;
• make sure that schools are modern learning environments, taking full advantage of the way learning can be improved by effectively using information and communication technologies; • make sure that top-quality teachers are fully
supported in the classroom and community; • involve parents fully in helping their children achieve
their potential;
• make sure that public services support learning and that the voluntary and private sectors are fully involved, for example, through Education Leeds Business Alliance which contributes expertise and enthusiasm to encourage learners;
• expand the healthy-schools programme, and improve nutrition and exercise opportunities for children;
• make sure that all public services which advise, support, encourage and protect children are available, where appropriate, through schools, including educational welfare and Connexions (the advice service for young people aged 13 to 25); and
• develop schools as the location for a wide range of services which will support their local communities, including social and learning activities.
Increasing involvement and achievement in further education
We will:
• make sure that every young person who could reasonably benefit will follow a programme of post-16 learning in schools, colleges and the workplace to give them the opportunity to be qualified at NVQ level 3 by the age of 21;
• work in partnership to make sure post-16 learning is tailored to individual learners’ needs;
• promote the role of colleges as Centres of Vocational Excellence to create a highly-skilled workforce, meeting the needs of individuals, business and the regional economy; and
• develop a culture of learning and achievement for young people working towards level 2 and 3, and for the specific skills needs of employers (level 2 is equal to NVQ level 2 or five GCSEs and level 3 is equal to NVQ level 3 or two ‘A’ levels).
Increase involvement in higher education or higher-level skills development (NVQ level 4 or a degree) to build successful knowledge-based local and regional economies
We will:
• make sure that people have the chance to learn at a higher level;
• raise aspirations among all sections of society to get into higher education, finding ways to remove barriers and achieve wider involvement; and • offer innovative higher-level learning such as
foundation and work-based degrees, providing new progression routes for young people who succeed in vocational learning, and for adults in work or running businesses who are entering or returning to higher education.
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Promoting lifelong learning to encourage economic success, achieve personal satisfaction and promote unity in communities
The knowledge economy, where knowledge is a key to economic success, will be driven by the ability of the workforce to continually renew their skills, and respond to changing technologies and business demands in a competitive world economy. Basic skills are the essential building blocks of an educated society. Lifelong learning will help create healthy communities by promoting interest and involvement.
We will:
• make sure that all Leeds employers employing over 10 people offer ongoing skills development to maintain competitiveness;
• provide the opportunity for 18- to 30-year-olds to gain level-2 and -3 qualifications, so they can be part of a skilled workforce;
• provide opportunities for those in work to improve their skills;
• make sure that everyone who was aged under 40 on 1 January 2000 is able to read and write, do everyday maths and use a computer;
• make sure that everyone who completes their education after 2013 leaves school having achieved the Government’s minimum standards;
• make sure that people who have already left school have the opportunity to learn literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology skills; and
• make sure that adult learning involves people from all backgrounds, helping to create a tolerant society.
Leeds will measure its success by:
• young people meeting national learning targets at ages seven, 11, 14 and 16;
• improving, every year, the achievement of young people at levels 2 and 3 through post-16 learning in schools, colleges and work;
• increasing the number of people under 30 having successfully progressed to higher education through academic and vocational programmes;
• increasing, every year, the number of people employed by companies which invest in developing skills; and
• increasing the number of adults involved in lifelong learning.