As an ‘Opportunity Area’, DfE funds a small team to work with Bradford, to agree and deliver priorities in improving social mobility. Its work is driven by an Opportunity Area board made up of key stakeholders from across Bradford. This group identified four priority areas to work on:

·         Strengthening school leadership and the quality of teaching,

·         Improving literacy and oracy (spoken English), including a focus on parental engagement

·         Helping young people access rewarding careers,

·         Removing health-related barriers to learning.

The report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Services (Document “S”) highlights the investment in a wide range of activity, as outlined in Appendix 1, which specifically focuses on the Shipley Area.

Recommended –

It is recommended that the programme progress be noted for information and the use of the Social Mobility Dashboard be endorsed to support the work of the Area Committee.

(Kathryn Loftus – 01274 434590)

Resolved –

That the progress to date be noted and the use of the Social Mobility Dashboard be endorsed to support the work of the Area Committee.

LEAD: Strategic Director, Children’s Services

The report of the Strategic Director for Children’s Services  (Bradford Opportunity Area) (Document “S”) was presented to the Committee to provide an update and information on Bradford as ‘An Opportunity Area’   A small team was funded by DfE to work with Bradford to agree and deliver on four priorities to improve social mobility:

·         Strengthening school leadership and the quality of teaching

·         Improving literacy and oracy (spoken English), including a focus on parental engagement

·         Helping young people access rewarding careers

·         Removing health-related barriers to learning.

The Department for Education (DfE) published its Bradford Opportunity Area plan in January 2018. With this plan, DfE committed an extra £6m of funding and a tilting of more national programmes into Bradford until 2020. Bradford has received £4.85m to date with a further £1.4m due before the end of March 2020 (total £6.25m). On top of this, Bradford also received £5.6m in Essential Life Skills funding.

The report and supporting documents circulated provided Members with details on activities carried out that specifically focused on the Shipley Area.

Resolved –

That the progress to date be noted and the use of the Social Mobility Dashboard be endorsed to support the work of the Area Committee.

LEAD: Strategic Director, Children’s Services