Hampshire Schools of the Future

Hampshire County Council has drawn up plans that outline how secondary education will be changed.

In July 2009 the County Council joined the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which will see significant investment in Hampshire secondary schools over the next decade.

In the first phase of the programme, £80 million will rebuild, refurbish or remodel nine schools and one education centre in Havant and Horndean. It includes the creation of an academy – an all ability, state maintained independent school supported by public sector sponsors – set to open in September 2010.

A draft Strategy for Change for BSF has been prepared which details how schools will become centres of innovation and well-being to create more opportunities for pupils, teachers and the wider community. Schools will continue to address issues which stem from social exclusion and child poverty, and particularly the wide gap in educational attainment.

Establishing local children’s partnerships, delivering personalised and flexible learning using state-of-the-art information communication technology (ICT), and ensuring a range of learning and job training opportunities are also part of these ambitious plans.

The County Council has been working with partners across the county, including schools, colleges, district councils and communities, to decide how to make the best use of this unique opportunity. The Strategy for Change is available for consultation until Monday 1 February before a final draft is submitted to the Government.

The strategy includes a commitment to challenging and flexible personalised learning programmes that offer young people choice and, using the latest technology, equipping them with a wide range of skills to meet the demands of present and future employment markets.

A further nine phases of BSF investment are proposed with schools in Gosport and Havant West next in line to receive funding subject to approval from the Government.

Commenting Councillor David Kirk said: “I urge people to let us know what they think of this plan. We have a unique opportunity to redesign learning opportunities using the BSF funding and we want to reflect the community’s aspirations in that plan. We want schools to become the focal point in the community for learning, culture, health and sport engaging all generations and being a point of access to wider services and support.

“Through the innovative use of information technology, enabling pupils to plug in and learn from anywhere and through e-mentoring, schools will be able to provide access to learning and support beyond the school day.

“We want schools to build on the culture of lifelong learning and, additionally, plans for the Havant Academy, including a skills centre, will ensure learning continues to be engaging and inspiring for the whole community. We aim to reduce the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training and enable adult learners to increase their skills to meet changing needs in the employment market.”

Representatives from the County Council will be holding a number of drop-in events in Havant and Horndean to ensure residents who live in the area of the first phase of the BSF programme are able to contribute to plans. These will be held at:

* Monday 25 January, Morrisons, Horndean from 16.30 - 19.00

* Tuesday 26 January, Asda, Havant from 12.30 - 15.00

* Wednesday 27 January, Tesco, Havant from 09.00 - 11.30

* Thursday 28 January, Waitrose, Waterlooville from 09.30 - 12.00

* Friday 29 January, Hayling Library from 13.30 - 16.00

A copy of the Strategy for Change and more information about the County Council’s plan to transform secondary education is available at www.hants.gov.uk/bsf. You can also contact the County Council by emailing bsf@hants.gov.uk or calling 01962 846387.

Consultation on the Strategy for Change closes on Monday 1 February.