Education Annual Report reflects on extraordinary time for education.

11 May 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Inspiring and equipping the next generation is the focus of this year’s Education and Skills Annual Report.

Reflecting on what has been a turbulent and extraordinary time for education the report outlines Northumberland County Council’s ambitions to further support Northumberland’s children and young people and empower existing workforces looking to upskill and reskill across 2021 and beyond, navigating the new ‘normal’ together.

Cath McEvoy-Carr, executive director for adult and children’s services, said: “The support offered to children and young people across Northumberland continues to improve as a direct result of the tireless efforts and dedication of teachers, support staff and partners; efforts which have triumphed through adversity this year.

“Throughout the report we have tried to capture a snapshot of resilience, of achievement and of ambition - to recognise our collective journey and the key milestones already accomplished, but also look to the future for our children and young people; reflect on what has happened and where we can go.”

Despite the most challenging of circumstances, there has been much to celebrate this year, including:
 • an agile approach to learning with digital classrooms and virtual support to facilitate continuous learning during these unprecedented times
 • the growing number of primary and secondary schools that have been judged to be good   or outstanding by OFSTED
 • falling absenteeism and reduced permanent exclusions in most settings, shows a unified effort to reduce the number of pupils missing vital education time
 • thousands of apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities across the county reflecting a rich learning offer to widen horizons and raise aspirations with diversified routes into employment.

Looking to priorities in 2021 the council seeks to ensure residents and their families are able to access appropriate and inclusive learning provision that meets their needs and is close to their homes.

“Every child and young person should have access to good education, and it is our ambition to ensure this is the case in Northumberland by investing in our educational settings. We need to give them the opportunities to thrive, and if we have learnt anything over the last year, there are many ways we can help make this happen” continued Cath.

The Council is continuing this year with an investment programme funded from local authority resources in order to maintain the schools estate, grow school places and deliver projects to support school re-organisation.

The team is delivering:
• 4 new build schools
• 30 maintenance projects
 • 2 major refurbishment schemes
 • 6 extension projects, which has seen over £38m invested in education in the last year
“We are extremely proud of our strong relationships with schools and learning providers across Northumberland and beyond, and together we will continue to support the development of each and every individual across our exceptional county” concluded Cath.

You can read the full report here.