What is Raising the Bar

							                                  Raising the Bar

Raising the Bar is a joined-up response to raise educational attainment, aspiration
and employability for the children and young people of Suffolk. It is across the
whole age range from early years to further education. Raising the Bar is also about
linking the jobs on offer in Suffolk with the skills needed by improving connections
between employers and schools and colleges in Suffolk.

Work under the ‘Raising the Bar’ banner will focus in 4 areas:

  The further development of a new relationship between all schools - maintained,
   academies or free schools – and Suffolk County Council;

  The completion of the Schools Organisation Review programme that moving to a
   two-tier school system across Suffolk;

  For attainment and the achievement of children and young people to become a
   real, lived priority for Suffolk. We will be looking for members of the Suffolk
   community to become champions for attainment in Suffolk schools as Governors
   and mentors.

  To raise aspiration across Suffolk, increasing collaboration between employers
   and the wider educational community.


As part of Raising the Bar, an independent Inquiry has been established by the
RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce)
which will report in May 2013. The themes of the Inquiry are based on the wider
focus of the Raising the Bar Programme.

 The inquiry will focus on 3 themes:

    Reviewing the current support and challenge to schools/colleges/ training
     providers and the opportunities for collaboration and sharing effective practice.

    Engaging employers and the wider community in defining the capability gaps of
     students and involving employers and schools/colleges/training providers
     together to develop a learning offer.

    Building Suffolk as a learning county with high expectations and the potential to
     realise economic opportunities.

 The inquiry will be led by Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, RSA. It will involve a
 range of stakeholders including: Councillors, Employers, Education Leaders,
 Governors, Public Sector, Community Leaders and Media.

 The Inquiry aims to contribute to a change in the way that education is discussed,
 perceived and delivered in Suffolk. It also aims to inform education policy and
 practice beyond the county, positioning Suffolk as a high achieving, forward
 looking, connected and innovative place for learning - a county without limits –
 everybody’s business.