Hull

Introduction

The launch of the Children's University in 1998, is yet another milestone in the success story of the CityLearning initiative in Kingston Upon Hull. Funded by private sector and coordinated by Business in the Community and the University of Hull the Children's University is committed to raising the status of learning and improving literacy standards. This initiative will enable companies, teachers and other members of the community to work together to improve educational performance in the City's primary schools.

In 1994 the Single Regeneration Partnership within the City produced its first City Regeneration Strategy (CRS). Since the production of the CRS, the partnership has assumed the name of CityVision - a company limited by guarantee, responsible for the co-ordination and subsequent project management of SRB funding.

CityVision takes advice from various Issue Groups, one of which is City Learning - a partnership of statutory, voluntary, commercial private and academic organisations which have an interest in, or responsibility for training and in its broadest sense, learning within the City.

At its launch Conference 'Raising Standards and Achievements' held in September 1996 attended by over 400 delegates, the draft Learning Chapter was issued for consultation. The Learning Chapter - a stand alone publication, sets the framework within which individuals, groups and organisations can situate their current and future activities, and it is hoped, be spurred to feel part of a larger City-wide drive to promote lifelong learning. Over 90 responses were received to the draft Learning Chapter which was subsequently revised, published and distributed.

The Learning Chapter has been a significant driver in informing the City's decision to make learning the bases of its SRB4 bid, which in April 1998, received confirmation that it had been awarded six million pounds to be further match funded from both public and private sector agencies.

During 1998 the Learning Chapter will be revised in line with developments and achievements to date.

The Partners

• The University of Hull
• Kingston Upon Hull Education Services
• Hull CityVision Ltd
• Primary Schools
• Kingston Upon Hull City Council
• Hull College
• Humberside TEC
• Secondary Schools
• Business in the Community
• Humberside Partnership
• Hull Council for Voluntary Service
• University of Lincolnshire & Humberside
• Kingston upon Hull City Council
• Hull Daily Mail (Newspapers in Education)
• Education Business Partnership
• Northern Foods Plc
• Kingston upon Hull Social Services

Target Setting and Action Planning

The 'Learning Chapter' contains strategic aims and priorities for action for providers to turn into practical projects. It does not set out to give numerical targets for achievement or develop baseline data.

Problems Encountered

If there has been a problem it has centred on an absence of funding to maintain the day to day momentum of CityLearning - a responsibility which to date has fallen on the City Learning Steering Group.

The success of the SRB4 bid coupled with a growing interest in activities associated with CityLearning, led to the creation in 1998, of a new constitution which will allow for the engagement of wider interest. A subscription model has been proposed and accepted by the Partnership which will see later in 1998, the appointment of a full-time CityLearning Manager.

Progress So Far

A great deal has been achieved in a relatively short period of time. Notabli achievements to date include:

• Ongoing commitment of a wide partnership
• Founder member of National Learning City Network
• Two major Conferences
• Publication of the Learning Chapter
• Launch of the Hull Parenting Forum
• Launch of the Children's University with significant private sector input
• CityLearning Forums
• CityLearning Project - Gipsyville Estate - publication of report
• Development of a new CityLearning constitution

Funding

As the CityLearning initiative continues to develop, although all the organisations involved have committed time, no outside resources have to date been used to support day to day funding. It is hoped however, that the move towards a subscription model will provide funding to take the initiative forward.