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BASS
Excellence in Cities
A Strategic Development
The launch of the Excellence in Cities strategy acknowledges that successive governments have failed to resolve the educational problems of the major cities. At last there is recognition that inner city education has
special characteristics presenting a greater challenge and needing greater support.

Although we have yet to receive final guidance on all aspects of the strategy, we felt it important to clarify the issue for schools and provide the basis for full consultation on how we can maximise the benefits of this exciting programme for all Birmingham children.
Please visit The Birmingham EiC Plan page to download the Birmingham Excellence in Cities Primary and Secondary Plans.

EiC contains a number of interrelated policy strands. The Government proposes to move forward on seven specific programmes and their guidance makes a number of key points.

Firstly, EiC requires the LEA to provide strategic guidance both to schools and to the DfEE. The programme needs to be developed in partnership, and a 'Local Partnership' formed.

Secondly, the time scales are very tight and will require co-operation from everyone involved. Our initial plans need to be agreed by July.

Thirdly, EiC is a main platform of the overall agenda to raise standards. LEAs and individual schools involved in the programme will be subject to even greater scrutiny.

Fourthly, it is recognised that every secondary school within the city should benefit and feel part of the overall initiative. However, the level of involvement will differ and the Local Partnership will have to ensure that the recourses available are targeted where they can have most impact.

Birmingham Education Department welcomes the Excellence in Cities initiative. We believe that out established partnerships with schools will enable effective networking and support so that we can maximise the benefits available.

In Birmingham we have over 175,000 pupils. By ensuring a coherent whole city strategy to each of the individual but related programmes, we can guarantee that all out children, both primary and secondary will have the opportunity to benefit.
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