Schools and learning

Specialist Schools and the Community Plan

Schools wishing to gain specialist status have to put in an application to the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families). The application submitted has two main sections, the Community Plan and the School Plan, which are of equal importance.

Within the Community Plan there are two main components that need to be covered. These are:

a. work with partner schools and,
b. learning opportunities for groups in the wider community

In order for the Community Plan to be successful, schools need to consider the following points:

• schools, and their communities, need to understand the aims of the community plan
• the school applying should identify the needs of any partner schools and community groups, and find out who else provides resources for them. Schools should then identify any gaps in services provided
• schools need to ask themselves what they can provide and where can they provide it, and how links with existing initiatives can help?

Schools also need to provide details about the management and resources in place, such as:

• how will activities be co-ordinated?
• what equipment and staff resource will be provided?
• how can involvement with other initiatives help?