Manchester to host national schools conference

Manchester City Council is to host a leading national education conference this month, looking at the changing landscape of the education system.

Hosted in partnership with the charity, British Council for School Environments (BCSE), the two day 'Building Better Schools' conference on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 November will feature a line up of key speakers.

These will include journalist and education campaigner Fiona Millar, former Schools Minister, Lord Jim Knight, Director General of multi academy sponsor E-ACT, Sir Bruce Liddington and Commissioning Editor for Education at Channel 4, Jo Twist.

Leader of the Council, Sir Richard Leese and Chief Executive, Sir Howard Bernstein will welcome the 200 plus delegates and speakers to the city, along with footballing legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

Manchester was chosen as the conference location because of its successful Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and Academies programme which has seen five brand new academies completed and 14 high schools rebuilt or refurbished in the last four years. A further 11 projects are on site and three in design.

The Manchester model has seen the City Council closely involved in the BSF/Academies design and build process, delivering on time and under budget.

Each of the city's academies has a lead sponsor that reflects a future growth industry for the city such as the NHS, Manchester Airport and The Co-operative Group. They are also supported by co-sponsors including the City Council and The Manchester College.

The impact of the programme has already made its mark across the city with record results and improved attendance.

The percentage of pupils achieving five or more GCSE's grade A* to C including English and Maths has risen from 38.5% last year to 45% this year - an increase that exceeds the national average. And a citywide campaign to improve attendance has also seen dramatic results with more than half of Manchester's primary and secondary school pupils improving their attendance.

Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, says: "Manchester has seen some tremendous changes and improvements to its school landscape over recent years and this in turn has impacted on the attainment of our young people. We are tremendously proud of what we have achieved and what the future holds for our children and young people. We are committed to giving them a positive start in life with the skills and qualifications to become active citizens today and in the future.
 
"Our way of working places schools, pupils, parents and communities at its heart and this model is now being adopted by other local authorities.The BCSE conference is an opportunity for us to share our experiences and showcase our work."

Day two of the conference will be hosted at the brand new £30m Manchester Communication Academy in Harpurhey which opened this September. The academy is sponsored by BT and co-sponsored by the City Council and The Manchester College.

Delegates will have an opportunity to tour the academy and see many of the innovative features in practice including the flexible learning zones that can be adapted to suit the needs of both teachers and students.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member for Children's Services for Manchester City Council, says: "Manchester's programme of educational improvements represents one of the largest investments in education both the city and the North of England has ever seen. Parents and young people will have a wide selection of high quality educational choices, including provision for a full range of special educational needs."

As well as speeches, seminars and panel discussions, the delegates will also have the opportunity to join study tours to a number of the city's new schools including Gorton Education Village, Newall Green High School in Wythenshawe, Irk Valley Community School in Lower Crumpsall, Park View Community School in Miles Platting, The Co-operative Academy of Manchester in Higher Blackley and East Manchester Academy in Beswick.

Ty Goddard, chief executive of the British Council for School Environments, says: "Decent school environments are important in supporting the work of teachers and the learning of young people. This conference will provide a national showcase for Manchester's work and the BCSE is proud to shine a spotlight on the work being done across the city.

"Thanks to our sponsors, exhibitors and delegates we'll be able to share what works across the country and beyond."