York The Learning City

EDUCATION and skills are among the most important parts of the vision. Our starting point is that York has good performance in quite a lot of areas.

York also has very high participation in full time education among 16-year-olds. Of course, there are some issues.

When pupils get to 17, the city is not doing so well and it is important to find ways to retain young people on appropriate programmes of learning. That means developing new programmes and improving the quality of vocational education.

This is vital. All the other themes of the vision depend upon having a well educated, informed and active population. It is the absolute bedrock.

Without a strong emphasis on learning, we will end up with a poorly skilled workforce which performs badly economically. But it doesn't stop there, as we will also have a socially divided community which is not at ease with itself. The prize of an economically successful , socially inclusive community therefore depends on high quality education and training

The process of preparing a vision for the future of the city is very important and Without Walls has to be applauded in attempting to articulate that vision.

There will be a future whether we like it or not. We can either drift into it or be the authors of our own destiny.

A vision is what starts that process. With a plan, we can at least influence the kind of future we wish to create for ourselves and future generations.

This strategy should help raise the profile of learning. The annual Learning Festival is an important part of this and we will also be working hard on the issue of adult basic skills.

Poor levels of basic skills among some adults are a massive drain on our economic performance as well as being a barrier to a fuller life and active participation in the community for many people.

Far too many people have fundamental literacy and numeracy problems. When people have these problems, it is not only that they don't contribute economically, it is also that they are not able to live and enjoy the kind of life of those who have, and use, those skills and take them for granted.

We are starting to get employers signed up to schemes to improve adult skills, and this will be a very important contributor to the whole process.

There is a great deal of enthusiasm among employers, both in the private and public sector, and if they get on board then I think we could really make a difference.

A vision is exactly that. It is not going to be something that happens today, overnight, or tomorrow. It is not immediate.

Building the future is a "slow burn". But, with sustained effort, this vision could mean that, in three to five years, we could see some significant benefits in education in the city.

What's the aim?

To ensure everyone who lives and works in York has the education and skills that will enable them to play an active part in society and contribute to the life of the city.

The vision will also make sure that York is seen as an internationally recognised centre for education.

What issues do we face?

There is increasing demand for childcare and early education

GCSE attainment rates are the highest in the region, but there are pockets of deprivation in the city where achievement in education is low

Too many young people leave full time education at 17

York University is ranked in the top ten in the country but graduates leave the city when they are finished

There is a percentage of the working age population in York which has low literacy and numeracy skills

There are limits on curriculum choices within York's secondary schools, particularly for 14 to 19-year-olds

What can we do?

Give our children the best start in life, even before they reach school

Promote a culture of learning throughout life

Improve the quality and choice of learning provision in York

Establish an Employers' Charter that supports employee development and learning

Strive to improve levels of literacy and numeracy

Encourage and value all forms of creativity and talent

What will we do?

The vision will mean improving and expanding learning facilities across all sectors in York, including developing new and improved primary and secondary school facilities.

We will aim to increase the number of learning opportunities accessible in local neighbourhoods and at non-traditional venues across York.

The vision will aim to provide high quality education, play and care opportunities for children between the hours of 7am and 7pm through partnership working with the voluntary and private sector providers of child care and early pre-school education.

A Learning Strategy, devised for 14 to 19-year-olds, will be in place by 2005. Broadband in schools will increase the range of learning styles and opportunities available.

Working closely with partners in the business sector and in economic development will help to ensure that the needs of individuals, businesses and the community are better met.

Success in the vision would see York maintaining the percentage of pupils gaining five or more A* to G grades at GCSE, an increase in the number of people over 18 taking part in learning and a decrease in the percentage of residents with low levels of literacy and numeracy.

Updated: 12:31 Thursday, July 22, 2004