The St Ann's Education Improvement Partnership exists to raise levels of achievement, improve outcomes and personalise provision for children, young people and families in St Ann's.

This is achieved by:

• Tackling key barriers to achievement such as emotional well-being, low aspirations, poverty, crime and health.
• Exploring innovative ways of raising levels of attainment and aspiration for children and their families.
• Work with partners to deliver shared and sustainable vision for staff, children and families.

Examples of projects:

• Football Academy: We initially worked with Elliott Durham staff, Elms Site Manager & Football Coach and YMCA to run a football academy for 7-12 year olds on Saturday mornings. Parents and other volunteers became involved to help with refreshments etc. At the same time, we set up sports (including football) coaching courses for the community and recruited a number of volunteers through them. The academy now regularly attracts 60 children each week and has created the first three under-12s St Ann’s football teams to play in Nottinghamshire leagues. The Partnership is no longer the primary deliverer. The academy runs with only two paid staff and nine local volunteers running activities each week and in the holidays. Cricket and basketball clubs are now being developed.
• Speaking and Listening: A pilot project sharing the appointment of a primary Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) across our eight primaries. The focus is on development of teaching and learning to support speaking and listening and inclusion. A part-time AST was also contracted to work at secondary with the same aim. Sally and Jo came into post in September 2005 and the initial feedback has far exceeded all expectations. They develop and disseminate materials and train on effective teaching techniques through team teaching, modelling, staff meetings and insets.

Who to contact:

Sarah Heesom & Sheila Jones - EIP Managers

James Brown - Extended Schools Co-ordinator, funded by schools and Our Lady & St Edward’s RC, and St Augustine’s RC Primaries

Jane Caro - Aspire Co-ordinator, funded through NottinghamTrent University

Jo McIntyre - Secondary AST funded through EIP

Donna Stefanovic - Community Sport Worker (funded through NEAP)

Allyson Magill - Parent Counsellor

Ron Hendry - Sports (SSCO)Co-ordinator

Austin Grant - Mapperley Sports Village Manager (funded through Elliott Durham Secondary School)

Contact details:

Telephone: 0115 9157522
Fax: 0115 9157524
E-mail: info@action-zone.co.uk