Let Haringey’s Education Commission know what you think

Dame Anna Hassan, newly appointed Chair of Haringey’s independent Education Commission ‘Outstanding for All’, has asked the borough’s children and young people, parents, carers, teachers, governors and the wider schools’ communities to let the Commission know what they think of education provision in Haringey.

The Commission has this week sent letters and questionnaires to be given out to all stakeholders via schools in the borough.

The questionnaires have also been published on the Commission’s website (external link).

Haringey’s Education Commission - 'Outstanding for All' has been asked by Haringey Council to consider the impact of new education management arrangements and to find radical ways to accelerate the pace of school improvement across the borough.

Speaking about education provision and schools in Haringey, Dame Anna said:

"I believe education is about a lifelong learning experience with schools at the outset of the journey, enabling pupils to have the capability and competence to make the right choices for themselves."

"There are many good schools in Haringey but it’s fair to say that all schools in the borough have their own different challenges. Whatever the challenges are, it’s vital that every school’s community characteristics are celebrated and used to benefit learners."

"Successful schools come in different forms. The key to success is the learning needs of children taking priority over everything else and everybody working together to deliver outstanding education for all. Schools working in partnership is key."

Speaking about the importance of school communities responding to the questionnaire, Dame Anna also said:

"An integral part of our work is to look at the role of parents and carers and consider how they - and the local community - can work in a meaningful partnership with the school and the local authority. Every parent wants the best for their child, but not all know what this looks like and how to get it. Understanding the views and experiences of pupils is also critical which is why we will be visiting schools to listen to the views of as many children and young people as we possibly can."

"The Education Commission can only come up with genuinely feasible recommendations for school improvement if we hear from the people involved about what works well and what could be done better."

"We plan to visit schools and speak face-to-face with lots of people. However, despite our best efforts it will not be possible to meet with everyone. That’s why it’s especially important that as many people as possible complete our short questionnaire."

The Commission will formulate an initial set of recommendations which parents, teachers, child and young people will be asked to comment on via a public consultation in September/October.

Following the consultation the Commission will publish a final report by the end of December 2012, from which a tangible action plan will be developed and implemented.

The above is a press release from Haringey Council