EXCELLENCE IN CITIES                 

EiC is a targeted programme to bring additional resources to address the needs of our core urban areas. It brings a new approach that increases the diversity of provision for pupils but at the same time encourages schools to co-operate to raise standards; that extends learning opportunities for pupils of all abilities and, above all, starts with the needs of the individual pupil and the challenges they face.

Excellence in Cities (EiC) tackles the particular problems facing children in our cities. Through a combination of initiatives, it aims to raise the aspirations and achievements of pupils and to tackle disaffection, social exclusion, truancy and indiscipline and improve parents' confidence in cities.

Local partnerships implement the EiC programme and focus on the needs and aspirations of individual pupils and their parents. The partnerships consist of all the local secondary schools and the Education Authority. Currently 58 authorities are involved the EiC programme.

The Government introduced EiC in three phases from March 1999 to September 2000. In addition to the main programme, a primary pilot is running in Phase 1 areas. A further development, Excellence Clusters, takes the concept of EiC to smaller clusters of deprivation, 11 Clusters will begin operating in September 2001. All of this means that over 1000 secondary and 1000 primary schools are receiving targeted help and resources to improve the standards of education of their pupils.

EiC is based on four core values:

• high expectations of every individual pupil and all young people;
• diversity of provision;
• networks of schools;
• extension of opportunity to bring success to every school.

There are 7 key strands to the EiC programme: Learning Mentors; Learning Support Units; City Learning Centres; more Beacon and Specialist schools; EiC Action Zones; extended opportunities for gifted and talented pupils.

EiC is already having an effect on education in our cities. Indications from the first 25 areas where EiC has been running for nearly 2 years are encouraging; the increase in those getting five good GSCEs or their equivalent was 2.3 percentage points compared with an increase 1.3 for other areas of the country.