This week I am concentrating on WE3 in which we include this statement:

"The Warwickshire Challenge Board will continue to lead and coordinate school improvement and will organise support for schools facing difficulties. Teaching schools and multi-academy trusts will be invited to contribute to the school-led system’.

The Challenge Board, chaired by Peter Kent who is now also stepping in to my shoes to champion the Education Strategy, is extremely effective, as is the new Teaching School Capacity Board. Warwickshire’s Consortia system is strong, and Area Analysis Groups provide vital local evaluation and planning. There is much to be proud of in Warwickshire.

This term my senior team and I have met with the Directors of all Multi Academy Trusts with three or more schools in Warwickshire, strengthening existing relationships and building new ones, and problem-solving together.

In WE3 we also commit to:

• anticipate growth in demand for places, maximising use of capital funding in local areas (see the Education Sufficiency Strategy here)

• efficiently administer school admissions - we will be consulting on our admissions arrangements for 2020 and encourage as many of you as possible to respond when the consultation launches soon)

• continue to support governors in their vital role (see the 2018-19 training programme)

Good progress is being made in developing the new ‘App’ to promote school achievements, and from what I have seen so far I am very impressed. Phil Ransford is leading on this project with support from our IT teams. We will keep you updated through Heads Up.

Do check out the Education Strategy webpages for more information.