THURROCK SCHOOLS BEGIN PARTNERSHIP WITH EDISON

Seven Primaries Aim for Renewed Direction and Purpose

Colchester, UK: February 2nd, 2005 ­ Edison Schools UK has announced partnerships with seven primary schools in Thurrock. Providing continuous planning, support and specialised training, Edison will work with the schools individually and as a group to help them meet a range of goals and raise achievement.

The seven schools are Stifford Primary, Thameside Junior, Aveley Primary, Arthur Bugler Junior, Stanford le Hope Junior, Corringham Primary, and East Tilbury Infant School.

'Each of our partnerships with the schools is different, as befits schools with quite distinct goals and aspirations,' said Edison's Tim Nash. 'We're providing the generic support to the group, and developing individualised plans for each school. The common theme is the focus on effective measures to bring about a positive change in attitudes and achievement.'

'Working with Edison has given us a new lease of life as a school,' said Wayne Whiskerd, Headteacher at Arthur Bugler Junior School. 'For most of us the philosophy which underpins the programme has restored our faith in the education system and what we are trying to achieve.'

Cath Power, Headteacher at Corringham Primary commented: 'Edison's tailor-made programme of support and training is of the highest quality and very personal in its approach.'

'We have been able to focus our staff development on developing a shared set of high standards for every area of school life,' added Shelagh Cosgrow, Headteacher at East Tilbury Infant School. 'We're now beginning to see the impact that positive attitudes and expectations have on the whole school community.'

'Thurrock LEA has worked closely with Edison from the beginning and has subsidised the project as part of our strategic plan for education,' said Ann Lewin, Head of School Effectiveness and Pupil Services at Thurrock LEA. 'It is a very exciting venture and we will be monitoring the outcomes carefully to ensure that the work impacts positively on the lives of children and young people.'

Edison Schools UK now has partnerships with 20 schools in Britain and is fast growing into a very significant provider of school services to the state sector.

Edison Schools UK works with partner schools through a process of consultancy, coaching and innovation, to provide a complete package of services and technologies to assist with raising achievement. Through its research-based school design, diagnostic assessment systems, continuous professional development, and integrated use of technology, Edison provides an all-encompassing school improvement programme designed to support every aspect of a school's operation in pursuit of a more effective and satisfying learning experience. Edison advisers provide training and professional development to the school teaching staff with continuous support and consultancy throughout the programme.

Partnership with Edison is recognised by headteachers and staff as an energising and highly effective way to bring about whole-school improvement and deliver positive changes in student attitudes and achievement. In May 2004, the OFSTED inspection report for Edison partner Colbayns High School remarked that 'the recently introduced Edison Project provides an effective framework for the many other initiatives with which the school is involved and has had a positive impact on students' behaviour.'