Partnership boost for schools

A UNIQUE, three-way partnership to provide school improvement services, involving Warrington Borough Council, neighbouring Halton and a private sector partner was unveiled today
It is the first such partnership in the UK and it involves international service organisation Serco.
About 20 school improvement staff from Warrington and Halton will be taken on by Serco’s education and children’s services.
Retaining the expertise and specialist skills of council staff means local schools will be able to purchase the same high quality provision they have been receiving for a number of years, sustaining their position among the best schools in the North West.
Serco Education and Children’s Services will bring experience, skills and breadth of service to the partnership.
The new approach will enable schools to share best practice and offer support to each other. While the partnership will initially seek to provide services to the 160 schools across both boroughs, the approach will be available to many more schools across the region as it grows.
Warrington’s chief executive, Diana Terris, (pictured) said: “I am proud to be launching our new partnership with Halton Borough Council and Serco, which we are confident will blaze a trail for the future of school improvement services.
“This pioneering venture will ensure our local schools remain among the best in the North West by continuing to provide a high standard of school improvement services.”
Kath O’Dwyer, executive director for children and young people’s services at Warrington and programme sponsor on behalf of both local authorities said:
‘The performance and pursuit of excellence in our schools is vital to the future of our children and young people and very important to both councils.
“We believe we are the first local authorities in the country to enter into such an arrangement and are delighted to be partnered with Serco who have a strong track record in the education field. We are confident that this innovative new approach will help enable schools in Warrington and Halton to retain their positive performance and reputation and to continue to strive for excellence.”
Serco’s global director for Children’s Services, Elaine Simpson said: “We are delighted that Halton and Warrington Councils have chosen to work with us on this exciting new service.
“The approach will bring together the best of local and national school improvement capability, and provide a way for schools and other education professionals to work effectively together. Together, our focus will be on the needs of young people in these boroughs, enabling all pupils in the area to receive a consistently high standard of quality in education and achieve their full potential.”