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SECTION 2: Strategic Overview

BSF in Essex is a key driver in delivering our commitment to bring about transformation in children and young people’s learning, achievement and well being founded upon:

- tackling underperformance and bringing coherence across policy areas

- a commitment to fully inclusive, personalised, collaborative and locally delivered provision

The authority’s Strategy for Change is a key driver in delivering the objectives set out in Essex Works, the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) and the council’s Local Area Agreement (LAA). The Council is committed to ensuring that BSF investment is used to deliver its diversity strategy in order to achieve the transformation of educational provision. This will involve taking the opportunities that BSF provides to develop academies, trusts and other new forms of governance. These are seen as an intrinsic part of the Essex approach to School Improvement, along with other measures which provide structural and capacity building support and intervention.

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1.1. Background

1.1.1 There have been no changes to the corporate or educational strategies since the approval of the Strategy for Change part 2 (SfC2) in February 2008 and the context and background of the project remains unaltered. The Authority believe that its strategies will ensure improved life chances for its young people and communities through the benefits which will be realised, such as enhanced collaboration and improved facilities.

1.1.2 Two projects, Edith Borthwick and Glenwood Schools, have, however, been moved to Wave 5 of the Essex BSF programme, after consultation with, and the agreement of, Partnership for Schools (PfS). A corresponding adjustment to the funding allocation model (FAM) for Wave 4 has therefore been agreed by PfS since the SfC2 approval. The sites on which they are currently located are considered to be inappropriate for their development as new model special schools and more suitable ones are in the process of being identified.

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I-1

Essex is a diverse county containing urban, rural and coastal locations. The County contains 40 of the most deprived 20% of districts in England. Of these, 22 are in Basildon. This town lies in the south of the county, which is much more heavily populated than the north and tends to have lower levels of educational attainment than in the north or the west. As a result, the districts in the south were prioritised in waves 4-6.

I-2

Basildon and Canvey Island were selected for wave 4, as they are areas with very significant educational and social needs, as identified in the Essex Children and Young People’s Plan (2006-09). Basildon is one of the most economically deprived areas of the county, which is reflected in the priority given to the development of children’s centres in the district. It also has the highest expected number of emotional and conduct disorders amongst 5-17 year olds. Special school proposals have been given a high priority in wave 4 as they contribute to major Children’s Services and inclusion strategies across the county.

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SECTION 2: Strategic Overview

Essex is a diverse county containing urban, rural and coastal locations. It contains 40 seriously deprived super output areas which are in the most deprived 20% in England. Of these, 22 are in Basildon. This town lies in the south of the county, which is much more heavily populated than the north and tends to have lower levels of educational attainment than the north or the west. As a result, the districts in the south were included in waves 4-6. In particular, Basildon and Canvey Island were selected for wave 4, as they are areas with very significant educational and social needs, as identified in the Children and Young People’s Plan (2006-09). Basildon is one of the most economically deprived areas of the county - reflected in the priority given to the development of children’s centres in the district. It also has the highest expected number of emotional and conduct disorders amongst 5-17 year olds. Special school proposals have been given a high priority in wave 4 as they contribute to major ECM and inclusion strategies across the county.

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The Authority’s strategy for change and its determination to transform the educational opportunities for each and every child is founded upon:

- a clear understanding of its key educational challenges, priorities and objectives

- a radical vision for tackling these through BSF in a way which brings coherence across the full range of policy areas and national agendas