Government Offices work with regional partners towards a number of education objectives, including raising regional levels of educational attainment in line with National Learning Targets and locally agreed targets. We also aim to widen participation in all levels of learning and education, contribute to regional social inclusion, ensure appropriate attendance and behaviour, improve the employability of individuals and improve the responsiveness of the regional education institutions.
More information on the national picture
We must ensure that everyone has access to a high quality education wherever they live in the North West. While the performance of many schools in the North West is equal to the best, there are too many schools where achievement levels are below standard.
Government Office for the North West’s key education priorities are to work with Local Education Authorities and other key partners in the region in support of Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) policies aimed at:
- improving school performance against DCSF floor targets
- improving behaviour and attendance and reducing the number of permanent exclusions from schools
- improving Basic Skills levels
- plugging the skills gaps experienced in parts of the region
- widening participation into further and higher education
Much is being done to improve the situation. In July 2004 the then Department for Education and Skills (DfES) published its Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners setting out the Government's vision for early years, primary and secondary schools, 14-19 education and training, adult skills and higher education.
Developing the 14-19 strategy
The 14 to 19 phase marks a critical period in young people's lives. It is the time when they build on their earlier learning and prepare for adult life and employment. Many young people make this transition well but too many drop out of education or training entirely by the age of 17. Some do not have sufficient grasp of the core skills that they need for work and life. Others are simply not stretched enough to enable them to fulfil their potential.
On 23 February 2005, the then Department for Education and Skills (DfES) published the 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper which set out how the Government will fulfil the educational needs and aspirations of every young person. Government Offices act on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) formerly (DfES) in support of the aims of the White Paper, which are to:
- ensure that every young person masters functional English and maths before they leave education
- improve vocational education
- stretch all young people and help universities to differentiate between the best candidates
- re-motivate disengaged learners
- ensure delivery of an appropriate curriculum
Delivering the entitlement requires a profound change in the education system but no single school will be expected to deliver the full range of options as part of the entitlement.
We work with a number of regional partners to disseminate good practice and provide co-ordination and coherence across the regions’ 14-19 activities. We work with local authorities and local Learning and Skills Councils to implement reforms, including the delivery of the new Diplomas, and will work with local authorities to ensure that the new Diplomas and national entitlement are delivered.
