St John’s Foundation, alongside Bath and North East Somerset Council, are embarking on a joint project to support schools in BaNES. The project addresses the persistent attainment gap in our region, with the overall aim to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
Big Education, an organisation with extensive experience in working with education providers to effect change, has been successfully appointed as project lead. The venture will see Big Education analyse local needs and data from different approaches used by schools across the region, in order to formulate a new strategy that will deliver best outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in Bath and North East Somerset.
A joint report detailing findings on the disadvantage gap in BaNES will be published early in 2023. Once published, Big Education will work with schools to implement the report’s recommendations.
This project is closely linked to St John’s Foundation Fund; a fund that helps level the educational playing field, ensuring all children in BaNES are meeting their age-related expectations. St John’s is already working closely with BaNES Council on the Language for Life project which supports improving the speech and language outcomes for under 5s.
Other initiatives within the Fund include the Primary Empowerment Programme, which provides children with additional support for reading, writing, oracy and mathematics, as well as support with emotional and behavioural needs.
David Hobdey, Chief Executive of St John’s Foundation said:
“Commissioning the ‘Improving Educational Outcomes for Disadvantaged Pupils’ project in collaboration with the council is an exciting next step for St John’s. The project is part of a suite of new programmes our Foundation Fund is supporting to address educational inequality in Bath and North East Somerset with the aim of ensuring all children have the same start in life. We look forward to seeing the crucial recommendations that will be formulated by Big Education and working with the schools to implement change.”
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities at Bath and North East Somerset Council, continues:
“This project is really important in improving learning experiences for disadvantaged children in B&NES. It will give our young people the targeted support they need to fulfil their potential, putting them on a level playing field with their peers and on course for living happy and successful lives.”
Liz Robinson, CEO of Big Education added:
“Our commitment is to transform learning for pupils in the most deprived communities. We know that it takes something different rather than just ‘more of the same’, and a holistic view of children in their contexts. We are really excited to be working with the Bath and North East Somerset schools on this important project. The long term vision and commitment to change is really impressive and we are delighted to be part of this collaborative effort to address the persistent attainment gap in the region.”
