Have you heard about Strategy For Change?
“Strategy For Change is the name for our 25-year business plan for the delivery of education services in Leicester,” explains Helen Ryan, Divisional Director, Learning Environment.
“To get Building Schools for the Future (BSF) funding, education authorities have to demonstrate that they have robust plans to transform what they do. That commitment to how we will transform educational practice is the Strategy For Change.”
Why has Strategy For Change been introduced?
"To improve children and young people’s experience of education in its widest sense,” Helen explains. “We want all our young people to want to come to school and be excited by it. Transforming our learning is about much more than buildings alone.”
How will Strategy For Change benefit children and young people?
“They'll benefit from - for example - improved ICT facilities, more choice of learning programmes for 14-19 year-olds and better inclusion of SEN pupils,” says Helen. “Communities will benefit too, with schools being used as community hubs.”
How will Strategy For Change affect...
a) teachers?
“We ask teachers to be enthused by change and to pass that enthusiasm on in the classroom,” says Helen. “It’s about saying, this is how I want to help improve learning for Leicester’s young people.”
b) social workers?
“Strategy For Change is about building links between educational, social care and community staff. Social workers can have a big influence on helping the most vulnerable children to learn.”
c) A children’s centre, community or youth worker?
“These staff are a key link between community and school environments. Our plans will blur the boundaries between school and non school-based learning and the support of these workers will be vital.”
How can we all support Strategy For Change and incorporate it into our working lives?
“Any interaction with a child or family is part of learning and a good experience with a staff member will set them on the right path,” says Helen. “Every council service needs to have a clear understanding of what they are contributing in this respect. Each service also needs a broad understanding of what we want to transform to, so that they can support us.”
Helen adds: “Many city schools have also been writing their own Strategies For Change.”
Where can I go to get more information on Strategy For Change?
For a full copy of the Strategy For Change, contact maggie.hurst@leicester.gov.uk
