Education, work and skills

Our ambition is to support our residents to have access to the best education, skills, and qualifications at all stages of their lives. We also want to support those who most need it to access work, and develop the skills to succeed

Progress in 2024

Strong exam results

We had some of our best exam results with brilliant outcomes at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4. Educational attainment is improving; it's consistently above national and regional averages with the biggest improvements being made by our most disadvantaged children.

We've set aspirational targets for educational attainment to support our ambition for Stockport schools to be the best in the country with every child included in their success. We've seen significant improvements in many of the areas outlined in our Covid Recovery Plan, especially in reading, outcomes for boys, outcomes for disadvantaged learners and for children at SEN Support.

Investing in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

In line with national trends there has been a significant rise in demand for SEND services. We were proud to open 2 new special schools in 2024, adding 133 secondary and 208 primary places for children with complex needs.

We've also been working hard to increase the number of Educational Health and Care Plans completed on time, but we know we have more to do and this continues to be a priority.

Stockport Skills Plan

Launched in September 2024, the Stockport Skills Plan shares how we will build a more sustainable, inclusive and diverse economy that benefits everyone.

Our key areas of focus over the next 2 years will be:

Schools

We'll create the conditions in which great school leaders can run great schools by:

  • further developing our strong partnerships with schools and school leaders

  • making sure all schools have the opportunity to join a sustainable and successful local multi academy trust

  • developing a clear plan to manage fluctuation in pupil numbers

Special educational needs and disabilities

We'll improve opportunities and outcomes for residents with SEND by:

  • continuing to deliver additional specialist places, including post-16 provision

  • working with our partners to improve the offer for neurodiversity, with a particular focus on needs-based support at the earliest point and reducing waiting times for diagnosis

Work opportunities for young people

We'll work with employers to increase opportunities for young people to experience the world of work and understand the range of career opportunities by:

  • continuing to develop the new One Stockport Education and Careers Forum to improve careers education, information, advice and guidance for young people and their parents or carer

Access to work for adults

We'll improve access to work for adults and support for those re-entering the job market by:

  • improving signposting to support available through our partners

  • we will work with the Stockport Race Equality Partnership to target support to people with high levels of skills and qualification but have been struggling to secure employment

  • promoting the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter to secure more opportunities for good work with good pay and conditions for local residents