OLDHAM’S “COURAGE” and vision in setting up a new Education and Skills Commission has been hailed by former Education Secretary Estelle Morris.
Baroness Morris will chair the 12-month initiative, which aims to help raise standards and aspirations so every child across the borough can achieve their full potential.
Oldham Council and its partners want to evaluate the progress made in educational attainment in the past decade.
They will also look at unprecedented investment in new school buildings and upgrades to see how standards and aspirations can be even further improved.
Estelle Morris told the OESC launch event: “This commission is not because there is a crisis. It isn’t because Oldham doesn’t feel it’s got any of the answers – it builds on success.
“I think the courage of Jim McMahon, the councillors, Oldham Council and the headteachers to say we want to open the book and we want outsiders to work with us shows their determination and confidence in themselves.
“We are confident we can be better than what we are at the moment and build on the successes.”
The Oldham Employment and Skills Commission is sponsored by Oldham Council Leader Jim McMahon.
It will seek to identify areas of underachievement, set out a shared vision for young people and build on work already underway between the local authority and education providers in the Oldham Co-operative Learning Partnership (OCLP).
Three sub-groups, reporting into the Commission Board chaired by Estelle Morris, will look at transforming outcomes, aligning the education system with the economy and the co-operative contribution.
Baroness Morris added: “If you look at Oldham’s industry, development, public service areas, environment, economic strength – as well as its individuals – none of it can be achieved unless we get the Education Commission right.
“Schools, employers and the council cannot do it all by themselves. The trick is how much can we work together to deliver more than the sum of our powers.”
The Commission will take evidence from a cross-section of witnesses including young people, headteachers and governors, and representatives from the business and cultural sectors.
It will review all available data and then pose key questions and lines of inquiry before calling for evidence from local groups and experts.
The Commission will submit interim findings in January 2015 before delivering a final report to Cllr Jim McMahon in June 2015 including clear principles and recommendations for action by Oldham Council, the OCLP and others.
Cllr McMahon said: “We have to hold a mirror to ourselves to be honest and that there is a lot of work to do.
“It’s a sign of maturity that we invited someone of Estelle’s status and there is lots of great practice going on in Oldham today, but we can be better.
“This is not a quick exercise and it will take time to get into the detail and understand education in Oldham.”
To find out more or submit ideas and experience to the Commission visit the Oldham Council Website.
A video of Estelle Morris and Jim McMahon speaking at the launch of the Oldham Education and Skills Commission can be viewed online.
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