Large Education Action Zones
Education Actions Zones were introduced in 1997 to address the acknowledged
needs of the rural and urban disadvantaged. The aim of this programme is to
raise standards by facilitating sharing good practice and through stimulating
and embedding innovation and change.
The programme centres on the formation of a partnership between 15-25
schools, their LEA, agencies and private partners. To achieve EAZ designation
the partnership is required to submit a development plan that has to include
targets and innovation. If successful the partnership is allocated £500,000 as
a base line and further £250,000 in return for funds raised by private
partners. Each zone is run by an Action Forum and managed by a project director.
The requirement for innovation and change is underlined by allowing schools
within the Education Action Zone a certain amount of legislative freedom,
particularly in relation to teachers’ pay and conditions and curriculum. This
enables schools to tailor their educational strategy to meet local needs with
the condition that raising standards is at the core of the strategy.
Currently, there are 99 EAZs which, including 82 EiC Action Zones, accounts
for some 1,700 schools, almost 10% of all schools in England. In total, they
receive £60 million a year with £37 being pledged by over 850 businesses over
the past two and half years.
Hull has one large Action Zone located serving the primary, secondary and
special schools of Bransholme
Excellence In Cities Action Zones
When EiC was launched in March 1999 the Education Action Zones scheme was
amongst its key policy strands. There are two Excellence
in Cities Action Zones:
David Lister Partnership which comprises David Lister secondary school,
Buckingham Primary, Craven Primary, Estcourt Primary, Mersey Primary, Stoneferry
Primary, Victoria Dock Primary, Westcott Primary.
East Hull Partnership which comprises Isaac Newton secondary school, Foredyke
Primary, Marfleet Primary, Maybury Primary, Oldfleet Primary, St Richards
Primary, Stockwell Primary.
