Schools
Tackling poverty in the North of Tyne: A combined approach
Patience has been key to a North of Tyne Combined Authority programme addressing child poverty, including both the underlying issues and the ‘here and now’ symptoms, says Adrian Dougherty.
SEND soars ahead in Herts
Hertfordshire CC’s system-wide approach has made SEND everyone’s business, writes Hero Slinn.
London Councils call for greater powers over pupil numbers
London’s boroughs want powers to direct academy schools to slash pupil numbers, after research indicated reduced demand of 8,000 school places by 2028.
Partnerships will unlock potential of Oxfordshire’s children
Children and young people are at the heart of Oxfordshire’s partnership approach – a shared vision to give them the very best start in life, says Cllr John Howson.
Putting RAAC front of mind
With a shake up in the Cabinet, reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) cannot slip down the agenda, and the problem isn’t contained to schools and hospitals, says Mark Robinson.
Councils call for emergency school transport funding
‘Spiralling’ transport costs for children with special educational needs are threatening the financial stability of England’s largest councils, according to a report.
Solving the school run
Contrary to popular opinion, active travel isn’t the only answer to school run congestion - data can help too, says Pooya Kamvari.
A working ecosystem needs a local base
Local authorities are the natural fulcrum for a dynamic, flexible and responsive skills ecosystem, and political parties must be pushed harder to commit to achieving this, says Professor Graeme Atherton.
Call for national mental health support team rollout
A top children’s services director has called for the ‘very highly regarded’ mental health support teams (MHST) model to be rolled out across the country.
Serving up a food strategy
Local authorities are increasingly playing a more prominent role in creating healthy, sustainable food systems, says Leticija Petrovic.
Partnerships are the key to creating healthy environments
Districts have a responsibility to support health services and provide the kinds of environments and opportunities in which good health comes naturally, says Gill Kneller.
Review uncovers ‘gross incompetence’ at Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire Council has been accused of ‘gross incompetence’ by an independent review after leaving a village short of hundreds of school places.
Scrap proposed infrastructure levy, council leaders say
Council leaders and developers have written to local government secretary Michael Gove criticising the Government’s proposed infrastructure levy.
New ADCS chief calls for cross-government children's plan
The new president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has reiterated his organisation’s previous calls for a cross-government ‘ambitious strategic plan’ for children.
Tackling the digital skills gap in Leeds
Martyn Long outlines how the Growing Talent Digital Leeds programme is supporting young people to understand and pursue rewarding jobs, and playing a part in ensuring the city’s long-term success.
A focus on early and evidence-based SEND provision
Staffordshire CC is set to launch an enhanced Educational, Health Care Needs Assessment pathway that ensures needs are met. Halit Hulusi explains.
Solving the SEND puzzle
We must press Government to not lose sight of the key principles in the Schools White Paper if we are to progress with reform to the SEND system, says Steve Crocker.
New SEND plan fails on ‘fundamental’ issues, say council leaders
The Government’s new plan to help support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) fails to address the ‘fundamental issues’ faced by local authorities, according to council leaders.
Ban on teacher redundancies will shift cuts
A moratorium on reducing teacher numbers in Scotland will only lead to service cuts elsewhere, a think-tank has said.
MATs are local and need to be civic players
Research on multi-academy trusts highlights that most are locality based, despite 20 years of attempts to create a national system. Jonathan Crossley-Holland looks at how to build on this.