Glasgow : Learning Communities Pilot
What is this?
This project explored the cluster organisation and management of schools, pre-school centres and support agencies in six Learning Communities in the east end of Glasgow. This project covered around a fifth of Glasgow's schools. The main aim was to raise attainment and achievement and develop better links across different sectors and agencies working with school and pre-school aged children and young people.
FLaT involvement?
FLaT support was provided to part-fund the phase 2 evaluation of this project in partnership with the Council and the University of Glasgow. Phase 2 saw a shift in focus away from the process of setting up learning communities towards evaluating the perceptions and experiences of the learners and those who support them.
Links with National Priorities?
1. Achievement & Attainment
2. Framework for Learning
3. Inclusion & Equality.
Project aims?
- To raise attainment and achievement rates.
- To respond to the needs of students of all ages.
- To promote cross-sectoral partnership working in local clusters.
- To reduce teacher time spent on administration.
- To ease transition between sectors and tackle social and educational exclusion.
- To encourage cross-sectoral staff training and development and more efficient use of Management Information Systems (MIS).
Project outcomes?
- Increased learner attainment and achievement and improve standards.
- Increased partnership working across sectors and local agencies.
- Improved the transition between sectors and promote social and educational inclusion.
- Improved pre-school-school-community partnerships through cluster management.
- Reduced administrative burdens on teachers and schools.
Timescale?
The project was started in 1999 and was completed in 2005. The evaluation report for the current phase was published in October 2002.
Level of Support?
FLaT support was a grant of £40,000 towards phase 2 evaluation costs.
Who are the evaluation team?
'The evaluation of this project was carried out by a team from the Faculty of Education, University of Glasgow, led by Professor Eric Wilkinson. The executive summary of the evaluation report, plus a link to the full report can be found by clicking on the following link:
Glasgow City Council Learning Communities Pilot - Evaluation Executive Summary
Contact person: George Gardner, Depute Director of Education, 0141 287 6713, george.gardner@education.glasgow.gov.uk