What needs to be done and why?
Strategic Issue 1
What needs to be done
- Commission targeted attendance support services (e.g., mentoring, family engagement programmes).
- Expand alternative provision and inclusion support for vulnerable learners.
- Invest in school improvement partnerships and teacher recruitment incentives.
Why
Persistent absence in Hartlepool is significantly above national average (28.6% secondary). High exclusions and poor attendance correlate strongly with low attainment and future NEET risk. Current provision is fragmented and lacks intensive family-based interventions.
Strategic Issue 2
What needs to be done
- Increase investment in Family Hubs and outreach programmes for speech, language, and communication.
- Commission home learning environment support and parenting programmes.
- Expand early years SEND support and workforce training.
Why
Early years outcomes in deprived wards are below national benchmarks. Poor language development and home learning environments predict later attainment gaps. Current services are under-resourced and unevenly accessed.
Strategic Issue 3
What needs to be done
- Commission employer-led training aligned to growth sectors (clean energy, advanced manufacturing).
- Expand adult retraining and Skills Bootcamps locally.
- Strengthen links between schools, colleges, and employers through funded career pathways.
Why
Hartlepool has high economic inactivity and low qualification levels compared to regional averages. Employers report shortages in technical skills. Current provision does not fully meet demand for future-proof skills or lifelong learning.
Strategic Issue 4
What needs to be done
- Fund sustained careers education from primary onwards using Gatsby benchmarks.
- Commission outreach and mentoring programmes targeting disadvantaged families.
- Develop local mythbusting campaigns and role-model initiatives to raise aspirations.
Why
Multi-generational unemployment and cultural attitudes limit ambition. Young people often leave for education/work and do not return. Current careers advice is inconsistent and lacks parental engagement.