Council pledges commitment to providing high quality education for all children in Bucks

Whatever their starting point, children and young people have the right to access the best quality education and teaching to help them grow, learn and develop so they are able to realise their full potential.

That is the commitment Buckinghamshire Council is making to all children and families in the county as it launches its new Education Strategy.

The Education Strategy sets out five key priorities:

• Access to and availability of high-quality educational places
• Preparing young learners to reach their potential as adults
• Collaborative school improvement to raise standards
• Embedding a climate of inclusion
• Supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of all children and young people

It follows on from the previous Education & Skills Strategy which focused on the development of a programme of continuous improvement in education provision in Buckinghamshire. The new strategy builds on the achievements made and focuses on areas where more work needs to be done. In compiling the strategy, the council worked closely with schools and other education providers and consulted with parents, carers and other key stakeholders.

One of the key elements of the strategy is ensuring that every child is able to access the right educational placement and teaching for them, and that vulnerable children and young people are given the support they need to overcome challenges and achieve the same outcomes as their peers.

Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services said: "Education is fundamental to improving life chances and can transform the lives of children and young people. It should provide an exciting journey of self-discovery and fulfilment that sets a child up for a lifetime of learning, ambition, and achievement. This is only possible through an inclusive learning environment with excellent teaching within a system that celebrates diversity and champions the individual.

"Our aim is to build a better future for all children and young people in Buckinghamshire so they can realise their potential whatever their starting point. We want to pay particular attention to addressing the differential of experience between the vulnerable children in Buckinghamshire and their peers. We know there is work to be done to address this gap and we intend to work collaboratively and purposefully to make improvements, ensuring that all our children are given the opportunities to achieve and succeed."

The Education Strategy ties into other key areas of work including the Opportunity Bucks programme which seeks to tackle inequalities within the county, and also the Buckinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Plan which seeks to ensure that all children have the right environment and opportunity to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles and that they are safe and protected. The strategy also aligns with work focused on children with special needs as outlined in the SEND Strategy and work with partners set out in the Early Help Partnership Strategy.