Who is the school serving?
The school population and the local community
An indication of the school's relationship with its local area can be seen
in the comparison between the school's intake and the profile of the total
school-age population in the surrounding communities. For many schools,
however, local patterns are changing fast, as populations become increasingly
mobile and diverse. Schools therefore need to review continuously who they are
serving — and who they are failing to reach. They cannot do this on their
own and should work with the local authority and other agencies.
When reviewing their engagement with the local community, schools may find it helpful to consider what emerges from the following:
- The composition of the local community in terms of faith, ethnic background, social class, disability and any other relevant factors and compare this with that of the school, as set out in the Pupil Level Annual School Survey (PLASC) return
- How the composition is changing as a result of demographic factors, including migration and whether the school is keeping pace with this change
- Whether any section of the community is over or under represented and why such changes are occurring — why do some see the school as a place they would wish to go, or see it as 'not for them'.
- What evidence is there of tensions in the local area which might contribute to the above trend
- Whether other schools are beginning to serve particular sections of the community in new or different ways
- Secondary schools may find it easier anticipate future trends by asking their primary feeders and pre-school providers, for information about their composition
- Can the school more readily see problems local emerging which they and particular other partners need to address, such as tensions in the local community between young people, growing gang culture, general alienation and disaffection etc.
- Can the school become a catalyst for interventions by a range of partners to tackle these issues, as well as raise aspirations in the local community, address exclusions and social problems like teenage pregnancy.
Page created: 30 April 2008
