Schools future is in the spotlight (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Schools future is in the spotlight

12:02pm Monday 2nd November 2009 in Education By Hannah Baker

The future of education in the Bradford district will be put under the spotlight at a conference for parents, pupils and people who work in the sector.

The Bradford Council-led Public Forum for Education is holding the event as part of an ongoing consultation into provision of educational services in the district once a ten-year contract with private company Education Bradford ends in July 2011.

The conference aims to provide people with an interest in education the chance to work with Bradford Council in helping shape its future in the district.

Donna Pankhurst, the forum’s chairman, will talk about the impact of the organisation over the past year and the challenges it faces for the year ahead.

Sue Colman, the Council’s assistant director for learning services, will lead the consultation on future options for education in the district.

Deputy Council leader Councillor Dale Smith, who will open the event, said: “The half-day conference will provide another opportunity for people to take part in the debate, shape the future of education and to help us make sure that decisions are made on what is best for the children and young people of the district.”

The event will also include an art activity building on earlier work to create a collage about an ideal school or education system. People are invited to take photographs and other school memorabilia to the event to be included in the art work.

Last week, Schools Secretary Ed Balls said he was “now minded” to lift the restriction on Bradford Council which forced it to contract out its education services in 2000 after a damning report by inspectors, paving the way for the local authority to make its own choice on how best to run services.

The conference will be held at Challenge College, North Avenue Frizinghall next Saturday from 9am to 1pm.

To book a place e-mail nazhat .iqbal@bradford.gov.uk or call (01274) 432337. Lunch will be provided. People unable to make the conference can express their views in a questionnaire at bradford.gov.uk/consultations.