Learn Sheffield have issued a press release and published the report from the peer review that was carried out in May 2018. The review was led by Christine Gilbert and colleagues from Camden Learning and Birmingham Education Partnerships.
Donwload the report here or visit the website for more information.
Press Release:
Learn Sheffield is ‘Standard Bearer for Partnership Everywhere’ Says Former Ofsted Chief
Learn Sheffield has published the report from a Peer Review, which was carried out on the 24th and 25th May 2018. The review was led by the former head of Ofsted and current Chair of Camden Learning Christine Gilbert and included Jon Abbey (MD – Camden Learning) and Tim Boyes (CEO – Birmingham Education Partnership), with support from Owen Rees (a senior officer from Camden Learning).
Commenting on the review, Christine Gilbert said: “We were highly impressed by the terrific work that is happening in Sheffield. The approach of Learn Sheffield, particularly given the size and stature of the city, makes it a standard bearer for partnerships everywhere.
The very high level of engagement from schools is testimony to the inclusive approach that has been developed. The City Council, the education sector and everyone involved in Learn Sheffield should be very proud of what they have achieved to date and excited about the platform they have for the future.”
Learn Sheffield have welcomed the report and intend to use it to support their planning for the next stage of their development. Mike Allen, Chair of the Learn Sheffield Board, commented that: “We are delighted by this report, which identifies the successes of Learn Sheffield very clearly and provides helpful and constructive input into the next stage of our development. We are grateful for the support of our colleagues in Camden and Birmingham and we will make good use of their guidance in moving forwards to support our schools to improve the life chances of Sheffield’s children and young people.”
The report has also been welcomed by Sheffield City Council, who work closely with Learn Sheffield and own the not-for-profit organisation in partnership with the schools and colleges of the city. Councillor Jayne Dunn, cabinet member for education and skills observed that: “Learn Sheffield provides the space for schools and the local authority to really work through the important issues and challenges that we face, and which affect the education of our children and young people. Never has education been more important, and this inclusive approach plays a very important part in ensuring we can deliver the very best education for every child and young person in our city of Sheffield.”
Learn Sheffield Chief Executive, Stephen Betts, was clear that the strength of partnership working was crucial to the successful work so far: “The way that we continue to work together as a city, on behalf of every child and young person in Sheffield, is both our greatest strength and the key to our future success. I think everyone involved in education in Sheffield can be proud of this report because the many successes are the truly the result of our collective efforts.”
He also thanked the report team for the high quality of the work they had done, noting that: “It also offers clear guidance, which lines up with our own analysis, about what our priorities should be in the next phase of Learn Sheffield’s development. Learn Sheffield will work hard to address the things that we can do better and build on the platform that we have created.
This report recognises that we are developing something special by Sheffield and for Sheffield – and we simply must capitalise on the opportunity that we have created together to realise our ambitions for the children and young people of the city.”
Learn Sheffield will be hosting events early in the autumn term, where they will be sharing their thinking in relation to the next steps for Learn Sheffield and also providing an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the strategic development of this important city organisation.