Introduction

The Schools and communities theme is chaired by Neil Wilson, Executive Head of Newall Green High School in Manchester, and the theme lead is Sharon O'Donnell, Head of the International Information Unit at the National Foundation for Educational Research and Head of Knowledge Management for C4EO.

Three key priorities are being addressed under the schools and communities theme.

• Narrowing the gap in educational achievement and improving emotional resilience for children and young people with additional needs.
• All children and young people make sustained progress and remain fully engaged through all transitions between key stages.
• Strengthening family well-being and community cohesion through the role of schools and extended services.

Theme Advisory Groups (TAGs)

The work on this theme is shaped and guided by a Theme Advisory Group. Click here for more information about theme advisory groups and the membership for this theme.

More information

For more information about this theme contact Sharon O'Donnell or read our Priority work themes document (43kb PDF file, 13 pages).

You can also sign up for regular email updates.

Publications

C4EO is publishing and will regularly update a range of resources on Schools and Communities. For a more detailed description of each type of resource, see Our services.

The following resources are now available on Schools and Communities:

Narrowing the gap in educational achievement and improving emotional resilience for children and young people with additional needs

• Research summary (133Kb PDF file, 2 pages) – Published May 2010.
  An analysis of the existing knowledge and evidence. This will be updated as the theme progresses.
• Online progress map – Published May 2010.
  Interactive, online resource providing up-to-date information, resources and data. Local data can be compared with national and regional data. The map will be updated as the theme progresses.
• Research review (1.8Mb PDF file, 115 pages) – Published May 2010.
  Print and PDF summary of key information. This will be updated as the theme progresses.

All children and young people make sustained progress and remain fully engaged through all transitions between key stages

• Research summary (131Kb PDF file, 2 pages) – Published May 2010.
  An analysis of the existing knowledge and evidence. This will be updated as the theme progresses.
• Online progress map – Published May 2010.
  Interactive, online resource providing up-to-date information, resources and data. Local data can be compared with national and regional data. The map will be updated as the theme progresses.
• Research review (979Kb PDF file, 106 pages) – Published May 2010.
  Print and PDF summary of key information. This will be updated as the theme progresses.

Strengthening family wellbeing and community cohesion through the role of schools and extended services

• Research summary (133Kb PDF file, 2 pages) – Published May 2010.
  An analysis of the existing knowledge and evidence. This will be updated as the theme progresses.
• Online progress map – Published May 2010.
  Interactive, online resource providing up-to-date information, resources and data. Local data can be compared with national and regional data. The map will be updated as the theme progresses.
• Research review (972Kb PDF file, 92 pages) – Published May 2010.
  Print and PDF summary of key information. This will be updated as the theme progresses.

Presentations

Schools and Communities conference presentations

• Welcome and introduction (PDF file 325Kb, 6 pages) - Published May 2010
• Good practice - a view from a Sector Specialist (PDF file 153Kb, 10 pages) - Published May 2010
• Improving outcomes for children and families - headline findings (PDF file 1.8Mb, 27 pages) - Published May 2010
• Leading to narrow the gaps in pupil outcomes (PDF file 161Kb, 16 pages) - Published May 2010
• Narrowing the gap (PDF file 307Kb, 13 pages) - Published May 2010
• Overview of national and regional outcomes - the data (PDF file 1.7Mb, 25 pages) - Published May 2010
• C4EO tailored support (PDF file 396Kb, 11 pages) - Published May 2010
• Validated Local Practice (VLP) (PDF file 363Kb, 7 pages) - Published May 2010
• What Works in Reading and Maths? - Institute for Effective Education (PDF file 775Kb, 21 pages) - Published May 2010

Local success stories

• Engaging communities and schools through positive holiday activities - Bournemouth (PDF file 103Kb, 7 pages) - Published May 2010
• Delivering the Summer Reading Challenge - Hertfordshire (PDF file 726Kb, 12 pages) - Published May 2010
• Multi Agency Extended School Provision - South Manchester (PDF file 615Kb, 22 pages) - Published May 2010

Events

About local practice examples

As with all C4EO themes, C4EO recognises that not all useful knowledge about ‘what works’ and why, is to be found in research reports and papers. We are therefore keen to hear about practice that is leading to significantly improved outcomes for children, young people and their families.

We will incorporate validated local practice examples into our full reviews on what works, which will be shared with other decision-makers in the children’s services field. We will also include them as a special body of evidence on this website.

To be validated, practice examples need to be supported by some evidence which shows the outcomes and changes that have been achieved.

Submitting effective local practice

If you would like to submit an example of effective local practice, please:

1. Signup to the C4EO website if you haven't already
2. login and complete the local practice online submission form.

Alternatively you can:

1. Download a copy of the local practice submission form (77Kb Word file, 6 pages)
2. Send your completed form to C4EOTeam@NFER.ac.uk.

Further information

• Further information about validated local practice (87Kb Word file, 3 pages)
• Guidance on how to complete the submission form and the validation process (47Kb PDF file, 4 pages)

If you have any queries regarding validated local practice, please do not hesitate to contact Monica Hetherington at NFER via C4EOTeam@nfer.ac.uk

School commissioning arrangements examples wanted

We are also seeking particular practice examples of local area school commissioning arrangements - if you have an example which relates to this specific area please read the further details on school commissioning arrangements (32Kb PDF file, 3 pages).

Interactive data

Explore, customise and print C4EO maps and reports with:

Maps

Data views - View interactive maps and graphs that allow you to select the data you are interested in.

Advanced data views - Select the data and comparators you are interested in before viewing in the format of your choice (e.g. charts, interactive maps, XML etc).

Area profiles

Area profiles - View a predefined report on your Government Office Region, Local Authority and Statistical Neighbours (PDF 102Kb, 9 pages).

Advanced area profiles - Select the data and comparators to create your own customised profile.

We currently have data at National, Regional and Local Authority level. We are loading information at Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) as it becomes available. At the moment IDACI 2007, NI 152, NI 116 and other indices of deprivation are available at LSOA level (accessible by double-clicking the chosen local authority in the Child Poverty maps).

We are keen to maintain the usefulness of the data views and reports. If you have any thoughts on how to make the reports more useful, or would like to tell us what you plan on using the data for please complete the 'feedback form'.

More information on how to use the interactive data and what the indicators mean can be found in the help section.