In Islington we put children first. We want every single child and young person to fulfil their potential, whatever their starting point. To achieve this, we are committed to driving educational excellence through inclusive schools.
'Putting Children First' is our bold and ambitious education plan that will make sure we achieve this.
About our education plan
Our vision is that every child and young person in Islington feels safe and thrives, leading to a fulfilling life. Education is the key tool to achieving this vision and transforming outcomes for children and young people. Education empowers successful and confident school leavers to shape both their individual and their community’s prosperous future.
Our mission
Our mission by 2030 is to ensure that every child, whatever their background, has the same opportunity and ambition to reach their educational potential in a good Islington school.
We will equip and empower every child and young person who attends our education settings with the learning and skills for life and the future world of work.
Our education plan sets out our ambition to reimagine education and consider what might be possible for future generations. The pressure to deliver this cannot be achieved by schools or the council in isolation: putting children first is everyone’s business. That includes you, our residents and parents.
Our goals
We will equip and empower every child and young person who attends our schools and education settings with the learning and skills for life and the future world of work. By 2030, we will:
- Ensure all our pupils exam results are in the top 25 per cent in London
- Create a sense of belonging so that every pupil wants to attend school and does
- Ensure we have a good local school place for all children
- Work in partnership with schools and settings so that we make the best use of good practice and do more of it
- Use our data to target support to children and young people who are not doing as well as they should
- Ensure no child feels discriminated against in any school or setting
- Increase the number of two-year olds in free early education
- Reduce the number of suspensions and permanent exclusions from school
- Ensure every young person has the option of going on to further education, an apprenticeship, or work when they leave school
- Ensure we take full advantage of Islington’s unique access to digital, cultural and music organisations
- Ensure every child quickly gets any extra support they need.
Six immediate priorities for Islington’s young people
Our education plan identifies six priorities:
- Reduce the number of Fixed Term Exclusions (FTEs)
- Reduce levels of Persistent Absence (PA) from school
- Reduce levels of young people aged 16-19 not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
- Improve outcomes for our vulnerable groups
- Increase take-up of Islington’s Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) for two, three and four-year-olds
- Improve attainment at KS4.