These are the opening remarks that Christine Davies (Corporate Director) made to the OFSTED Inspection Team at the beginning of our recent very successful inspection. Further information can be found here.

"We are a young Unitary Council and LEA, just 3 years old, but we believe that we have thoughtfully and firmly identified and grasped the opportunities that unitary authorities can offer and have made them work for the benefit of learners and the wider community we serve.

There was initially a great deal of scepticism about Telford and Wrekin being able to meet its new responsibilities for education and key services prior to Local Government Reorganisation. However, we and our local partners are confident that we have formed a distinctive Education and Training Community and LEA, and that we are making real and demonstrable differences to the opportunities, achievements and well-being of children, young people and other learners - over a short period of time.

We have set about 'making the difference' through:

• Real consultation with the local community, and education and training 'stakeholders', combined with a thorough understanding of local needs;
• Clarity of vision, principles, role and objectives, set within both corporate and national context;
• Establishing an enabling organisation which is first and foremost an advocate for children and other learners; their needs have driven our decisions and actions;
• Allocating resources, both money and people, on the basis of priorities and need;
• Initiating and sustaining robust 'partnerships' which are 'fit for purpose' and provide best value;
• Monitoring and evaluating of our performance and outcomes through effective and on-going consultation combined with external assessment and benchmarking - we are genuinely a learning organisation;

The authority can demonstrate numerous ways in which it has provided support for school improvement and lifelong learning. These include:

• Raising school performance across all key stages, matching our close statistical neighbours and national trends at Key Stage 1 and generally exceeding the rate of improvement when compared to close statistical neighbours and the nation as a whole across Key Stages 2,3, 4 and post-16;
• Enhancing inclusion through provision for SEN, raising attendance and reducing exclusion;
• Tackling under-achievement in 'schools causing concern' and children from disadvantaged groups e.g. those in public care; suffering abuse or pregnant whilst teenagers;
• Substantially enhancing the extent and quality of provision for both Early Years and Lifelong Learning;
• Laying foundations for the future through our strategy for the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) - the only English authority to have all schools and colleges on-line for both administration and curriculum ICT.

We are proud of our achievements and the way in which genuine partnership with schools and others has raised attainment, supported school improvement and extended opportunity. We are however, not in any way complacent and seek continuous improvement, within the framework of Best Value.

We enjoy the challenge of working in the service and supporting schools and other partners in meeting the needs of learners. We go about this task purposefully and energetically with evident commitment to children and young people shared throughout the Council. This approach has helped bring about a culture of collaboration and trust. "

The inspectors noted 'Telford and Wrekin has developed rapidly into a good LEA. It has many strengths few weaknesses, supports its school well and, in most activities, gives good value for money. It has the capacity to improve further'.

This plan is an early part of this further improvement. The Behaviour Support Plan (BSP) is Telford and Wrekin's statement of the arrangements for the education of children with behavioural difficulties. The plan will ensure that all stakeholders can be assured that the authority has a coherent, comprehensive and well understood arrangements for tackling pupil behaviour and discipline problems that cover the full range or needs.