Prime Highlights:
- Knowsley Council’s Cabinet has approved all recommendations from the Children’s Scrutiny Committee to improve education across the borough.
- The decision focuses on supporting children and young people from early years through to post-16 learning.
Key Facts:
- The review, called the “Cradle to Career” review, examined the full education journey in Knowsley and ways to improve learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities.
- Measures will include better support for children in care, expanded school meal eligibility, and promotion of apprenticeships and post-16 opportunities.
Background:
Knowsley Council’s Cabinet has approved all the recommendations from a review of education in the borough.
The review looked at the entire education journey in Knowsley, from early childhood through to careers, and assessed how well current services support learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities. Cabinet members welcomed the findings and confirmed that all nine recommendations will be incorporated into the borough’s new Education Strategy, scheduled to launch later this year.
Among the key actions agreed, the Council will continue to support collaboration between schools while improving communication with Multi-Academy Trusts. The school admissions team will also work more closely with families during enrolment to ensure eligible children are registered for free school meals, helping to reduce food insecurity and maximise pupil premium funding. In addition, the Council will explore the financial impact of extending free school meals to all primary pupils in years three to six.
The Cabinet also agreed to review whether increasing the number of school preference options from three to five could improve parental satisfaction with the admissions process. For children in care, the council will improve the completion of Personal Education Plans by providing better training for social workers and ensuring smoother handovers when staff change. Education, Health and Care Plan annual reviews will be prioritised at key post-16 transition stages.
Post-16 education and skills development will be another major focus. The Council plans to promote 100 new apprenticeship opportunities through the Knowsley Apprenticeship Programme and work with regional partners and local businesses to expand placements in growing industries. A detailed mapping of A-level provision and student travel patterns will also support long-term planning.
Attendance and smooth school transitions will form central pillars of the new strategy, supported by a Strategic Attendance Board working alongside health services to reduce avoidable absences. Schools’ mental health approaches will be reviewed, with greater promotion of the Knowsley Open Gateway Service to support children and families.
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr David Lonergan, said the Council remains committed to delivering high-quality education and ensuring every young person in Knowsley has the opportunity to succeed.
