Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 17, 2026

Purpose: Following the public consultation on the 0–25 Years Learning Improvement Strategy: Excellence, Equity and Culture 2026–31, feedback was gathered from Bracknell Forest residents and education sector stakeholders. The strategy outlines a five-year vision and approach to improving outcomes for all children and young people, with a strong emphasis on supporting those who are vulnerable and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The consultation provided an opportunity for participants to review the proposed priorities and actions and share their views. All feedback has been carefully considered in shaping the final strategy and refining the accompanying action plan, ensuring it reflects the needs and aspirations of the community and education partners. This report now seeks approval for the final strategy following consultation and sets out the next steps for implementation.  

Content: RESOLVED that   i.      the 0-25 Years Learning Improvement Strategy 2026-2031 for Bracknell Forest and the supporting action plan following a period of public consultation is approved. ii.     authority be delegated to the Executive Director of People, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning, the authority to make revisions to the action plan in the context of reforms.

Reasons for the decision: i.      The new strategy aims to replace the previous document, ‘Learning Improvement Strategy - Unlocking Opportunities for all Children 2019-22’, which was extended due to the impact of Covid. This strategy is intended as a statement of intent for the education sector within Bracknell Forest, emphasising the importance of working in partnership. A key focus of the strategy is to prioritise pupils who currently present as vulnerable, as well as those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The strategy is also closely aligned with national developments, including the proposed priorities within the government’s forthcoming Education White Paper, expected to be released later this year, and the publication of the new Ofsted Inspection Framework, released in September 2025.   ii.     The inital draft strategy was shaped through an extensive first round of consultation, beginning with a workshop for all officers in Education and Learning to reflect on practice and help define the emerging priorities. Further engagement took place through sessions with headteachers, the People Directorate management team, SENDCos, and school governors, along with multiple workshops held with the Parent Carer Forum, which enabled in-depth discussion due to small group sizes. Additional feedback was gathered through an online survey and through contributions from other council departments, including Public Health and Regeneration and Economic Development, all of which helped refine the draft priorities and actions.   iii.    Following the development of the draft strategy, a further wide-ranging, multi-phase consultation process was used to gather stakeholder feedback on the draft strategy between 10th November and the 28th January 2026 (Appendix C). This included publishing the full strategy and a one-page summary on the council website with an online survey to gather views, alongside targeted workshops with children and young people. Ongoing feedback has resulted in minor amendments to the strategy.

Alternative options considered: i.      As noted above, the main themes set out within the draft strategy were initially formed as a result of a co-production exercise with all staff from within Education and Learning, and the draft strategy has subsequently undergone extensive consultation with key partners. Feedback from the consultation has been incorporated into the draft, and there has been a high level of support for the priorities and associated actions.   ii.     As the current strategic document driving the vision for education in Bracknell Forest expired in 2022, no other option has been considered. Annex A of the strategy (Appendix B) sets out the local authority’s approach to monitoring and intervention in maintained schools, which explains how the DfE’s guidance, ‘Support and intervention in schools: Statutory guidance for support and intervention action in schools’, DfE, November 2025, will be implemented.