Peer Review of Learn Sheffield
This report sets out the key findings from the peer review of Learn Sheffield held on 24 and 25 May 2018.
The review team was led by Christine Gilbert, Chair, Camden Learning, and included Jon Abbey, Managing Director, Camden Learning, and Tim Boyes, CEO, Birmingham Education Partnership, with support from Owen Rees, a senior officer from Camden Learning.
Learn Sheffield, and all of the organisations involved, are founding members of the Association of Education Partnerships.
In advance of the review, the team considered a range of key documentation, including much relating to Learn Sheffield’s priorities, its commission from Sheffield City Council, its school improvement strategy, and a self-evaluation document put together by the CEO of Learn Sheffield. During the two days, the review team met with a number of stakeholders including headteachers and governors of Sheffield schools and academies, Board members, representatives of Sheffield City Council and Learn Sheffield staff. Christine Gilbert also attended the Governor Briefing meeting held on the evening of 25 May and, as part of her broader presentation, fed back some of the key findings to governors.
“We were highly impressed by the terrific work that is happening in Sheffield. The approach of Learn Sheffield, particularly given the size and stature of the city, makes it a standard bearer for partnerships everywhere. The very high level of engagement from schools is testimony to the inclusive approach that has been developed. The City Council, the education sector and everyone involved in Learn Sheffield should be very proud of what they have achieved to date and excited about the platform they have for the future.”
- Christine Gilbert
The key report findings and recommendations are listed below.
Learn Sheffield is a thriving local area partnership which is working collaboratively and effectively to improve outcomes for children and young people in Sheffield. Supported by a commission from Sheffield City Council, it has established a strong partnership over the last three years to improve outcomes for local children and young people. It now faces the challenge of a much smaller commission from the Council but the extent of school sign-up to its subscription offer from 2018-21 reflects a strong commitment to the partnership and a desire from schools to make it work for the benefit of the education community.
We recommend that Learn Sheffield builds on its many strengths by:
- Strengthening its vision and new strategy
- Building and strengthening system leadership across Sheffield
- Giving a harder edge to its intervention model
- Doing more to demonstrate progress and impact
- Producing a strategy for financial sustainability
Learn Sheffield will be hosting events, early in the autumn term, to share the detailed contents of the report and some of our thinking in relation to the next steps for Learn Sheffield. These sessions will provide an opportunity for our stakeholders to contribute to our strategic development.
Download Peer Review
Letter to Schools (16.07.18)
Peer Review Press Release (16.7.18)