The Clifton Partnership EiC Action Zone was constituted in April, 2000 to provide ‘additionality’ to the Clifton cluster of schools to improve attainment. The Clifton cluster was identified because of the levels of deprivation within the area.
Since the Action Zone has been operational we have seen an increase in attainment in all schools, in all subjects in all key stages despite a continued rise in the levels of deprivation. We have extended our work from a clearly defined school/classroom focus. We now try to engage parents/carers in participating and supporting the education process as early and constructively as possible.
The current challenge is to ensure that all schools reach and surpass the nationally set floor targets. At secondary this requires over 30% of pupils attaining five or more GCSEs at A* to C, and to have achieved at least a C in English and Mathematics. At the end of Key Stage 2 65% of pupils are expected to achieve a level 4 or above in English and Mathematics, with 55% of them securing a level 4 or better in both English and Mathematics.
The move to a ‘Soft Federation’ will build upon the current, very strong, partnership. The schools and the Action Zone will become equal partners, using the Action Zone funding, to work closer together to improve attainment, achievement, attendance and aspiration. We are starting from a position of strength but recognise that the refined systems, structures and opportunities we have developed through the Federation planning process will enable us to be even more effective. The addition of an additional tier of governance, through the Executive Partnership Board, will further challenge our plans and operation. It will allow governor participation and develop a line of accountability, for everyone, which has been missing.
We are currently developing our ‘Strategy for Change’ which will revisit our context, reflect on our performance, address our barriers and celebrate our strengths. That should give us the key priorities for development for the next year and beyond. These priorities will be developed into our annual action plan which has ten key strands to deliver a coherent approach to teaching and learning across our community. The ten strands are: English, Mathematics, Data and its application, Continuous Professional Development (CPD), Behaviour Improvement Programme (BIP), Operational Organisation, External Partnerships, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Continuity and Progression and Widening Opportunities. Details of the work scheduled, within each strand, is included in our Action Plan.
