Knowsley Schools Commission - shaping the future of schools in Knowsley

Pictured: Members of the Knowsley Schools Commission

Four education experts have recently begun a nine-month intensive process looking at the future of schools in Knowsley. As part of the process, members of the Knowsley Schools Commission will be looking at how many schools are needed and where they are located. They will also be considering how schools could change to keep pace with modern living.

The members of the Schools Commission, Prof Maurice Kogan, Ian Shelton, Valerie Hannon and Dr Steven Warburton, will be listening to what the community, parents, headteachers, teachers, governors and others with an interest in education have to say and will put its recommendations to the council in September 2002.

Knowsley’s Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, Steve Munby, said, “This is a radical development that will change the face of schools and learning in Knowsley. No one knows what proposals will come out of this process but it could be, for example, full service schools offering education together with leisure, health and training services under the same roof.”

Councillor Larry Nolan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Education, commented, “We do believe, that by calling in expert independent analysts, that a different perspective on education will come out of this and one that will improve the face of education and lifelong learning in the borough for generations to come.”

Have your say on the future of education
in Knowsley

Local people who want to have their say in this consultation can do so in any of three ways:

• By submitting views to Headteachers, School Governors, MPs and representatives of any of the “stakeholder” organisations (full list available from Knowsley Council on 443 3234).
• By attending local area forum meetings (see dates below).
• By writing directly to the Commission itself at Knowsley Schools Commission, Education Offices, Huyton Hey Road, Huyton, L36 5YH. Written submissions should address specific questions set out in the Commission's newsletter, available from all council offices.

Area Forum Meetings

The Schools Commission will be attending meetings of the Area Forums across the Borough. These forums are open to the public and those who wish to be involved in the discussions on the future of schools in the area are welcome to attend. The Schools Commission is particularly interested to hear the views of parents.