Background info on Petition to save the Whitley Excellence Cluster:

Background info on Petition to save the Whitley Excellence Cluster:

We, the undersigned, call on Reading Borough Council, to find a way to save the good work of Whitley Excellence Cluster, which has done so much for young people and families in South Reading.

What is the Whitley Excellence Cluster (WEC)?

Formally it is the group of 11 schools in South Reading that work together to raise standards. It refers to both the schools and the central team that provide central services and support to them.

Where has the money come from?

Originally it was secured through ‘Excellence in Cities’ and continued from 2008 through the Area Based grant. It should be noted that Reading Borough Council continued to receive extra funding from the government due to the original application by heads in South Reading.
In 2010-2011 schools received over £470K in direct extra grants and the central team was also funded out of this.

Why doe the Whitley Excellence Cluster need extra funding?

The South Reading area has particular challenges and needs that mean that the extra funding is needed. Government statistics show that Whitley as a whole is in the top 10% most deprived areas in England for education/skills.

What does the central team do?

They are front-line employees who work across the schools. There are a range of posts but the focus is on inclusion and support at key times (e.g. the move from early years to school) or for children with particular needs. A good example is the ‘links workers’. They work closely with the primary school, including the classroom teacher, parents and the child to ensure that the child is able to access school, and that home and school support each other.

What is the future if the council decides to ‘cease funding’?

Reading Borough Council is planning to cease all funding.
• The schools will loose substantial grants. It is not year clear what the overall loss of funding will be but heads expect that the pupil premium will not cover the loss and the government’s guarantee’ that schools would not lose more than 1.5% in real terms will not be applied to WEC funding.
• The central team will be made redundant or leave and their work will end.
• It is hoped that the schools will agree to ‘buy back’ some level of service, although this is unlikely to be more than 1 post, due to the cut backs the schools are facing themselves.
• One post, that of project manger, has been secured by the school leadership college, a national body that has recognised the value of the work.
• The APSIRE2 charity, linked to WEC, will continue to raise funds.

If you would like more information please contact Rachel Eden, racheleden.whitley@gmail.com 07914 211828