In February 2002, an exciting and innovative pilot project was launched by the Department as part of the Government's commitment to raising the attainment of ethnic minority students, through the joined up use of EiC and EMAG funding streams.
This national scheme included ten Local Education Authorities with high concentrations of ethnic minority students. Its purpose was to support the development and implementation of a range of initiatives aimed at bridging the achievement gap.
The selected LEAs were:
Birmingham
Camden
Hounslow
Leeds
Lewisham
Manchester
Nottingham
Rochdale
Southwark
Wandsworth
The participating LEAs received an annual grant of £40,000 over a three year period, and were encouraged to focus on key areas including, KS2/3 transition, monitoring and target setting, parental involvement and analysis of performance data. The projects could also target specific ethnic minority groups and trial innovative strategies in selected schools.
An independent evaluation report (RR583) undertaken by the National Foundation for Educational Research can be accessed by clicking here (PDF 823KB).
A research brief, (RB 583), which summarises the key findings of the evaluation can be accessed by clicking here (PDF 291KB).
Guidance Notes were issued to the participating LEAs, who had submitted Project Action Plans that cover a range of activities including:
- EAL good practice and teacher training in language development
- Training packages for parents, schools and the community
- Peer Mentoring and mediation
- Targeted Numeracy and Literacy sessions
- Behaviour Management programmes for staff and pupils
- Improving GCSE A-C grades for refugee pupils
- Transition from KS2 to KS3 and KS3 to KS4
- Developing a resources inclusive curriculum
- Targeted use City Learning Centres
- Summer schools which complement a term time programme
- Oracy projects
Click here to download a summary of the LEA Action Plans.  165KB
Approaches varied by LEA, with some LEAs working with one school and others as many as ten. Some held the money centrally whilst others devolved the money directly to schools. Furthermore, some LEAs provided additional funding to support their projects. To support and deliver individual projects, the funding was used in a number of different ways:
- To create new posts;
- To provide resources;
- To provide staff development training programmes;
- To facilitate research.
For further information please contact:
Valerie Manning
DCSF Ethnic Minority Achievement Project
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
Tel: 020 7925 5996
Email: valerie.manning@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
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