News
Messages from the Chief Executive (Designate) - September 2007
The start of the new school year brings with it a renewed sense of urgency, with the Minister's clear commitment to the establishment of the new Education and Skills Authority.
This year will be a busy year for all of us as we take forward the Convergence Programme and continue to build the new organisation. As we do so, we will continue to work with the existing organisations, drawing on the knowledge, skills and expertise of staff.
On Friday 28 September, I was pleased to be able to brief members of the Assembly Education Committee on the progress we are making towards establishing the Education and Skills Authority.
The main points of our briefing are set out below, but you can read our full submission to the committee here.
The RPA in education will deliver better educational outcomes for all pupils; clear leadership and direction to schools and youth settings; and improved access for all to high quality education and professional support services.
The Convergence Programme now underway is an important opportunity for staff in the affected organisations to be involved in shaping ESA. With your help we are making progress in a number of areas including developing:
- A single integrated ICT system across the education sector;
- A single finance, accounting, procurement, human resources and payroll system;
- Modern and improved arrangements for procurement of the schools;
- Active management and oversight of the vacancy control policy;
- The development of regional arrangements for the delivery of education support services;
- The planning and development of models of location and accommodation for ESA;
- New approvals procedures for financial and/or contractual commitments for ESA; and
- The establishment of a working group to develop a model for the delivery of children's services in ESA.
The extension to the timeframe for the establishment of ESA provides additional time for planning and preparation.
It is intended that a draft senior management structure will be ready by the end of the year, with the recruitment of the 2nd tier commencing in May 2008, in line with the legislative timescale for the 1st Bill.
Finally, the ESA Implementation team has expanded with additional staff appointed from across the education sector to manage the Convergence Programme. View our updated organisational chart.
GAVIN BOYD
28th September 2007