THE woman appointed to lead the group tasked with driving forward improvement in Swindon’s schools says she is confident that it is a challenge that can be met.

Anji Phillips, a former headteacher, Ofsted inspector, and director of an ‘outstanding’ children’s services department, chaired the first meeting of Swindon’s ‘Challenge Board’ on Wednesday evening.

Swindon Challenge brings together the leading figures from Swindon Borough Council, primary schools, secondary schools, the two main colleges, Ofsted, the office of the regional schools commissioner, as well as the world of business.

The board has set targets which aim to see improvements in primary level writing and phonics, secondary results, school inspection outcomes and the number of young people going on to higher education.

But beyond exam results and statistics, Anji Phillips said the board will look to bring about a more wholesale “cultural change” in the town’s education sector.

“I think it’s an amazingly prestigious board,” she said.

“I think it can actually harness all of the good things I’ve seen in and around Swindon to maximise the impact for children and young people.

“Everybody is really excited to do this work.”

Anji suggested that with the town’s strong economic performance as a backdrop, and with so many big employers establishing a base here, there was no excuse not to see education as a key part of that bigger picture.

She acknowledged that the council has already been taking steps to bring about positive changes and said she would not seek to take credit for that work.

Instead she said her role was to challenge the various players to take that work on and to bring the knowledge and understanding of best practice used successfully in other parts of the country.

Fionuala Foley, the cabinet member responsible for education, said it was important for her that the new chair came from outside the existing education establishment in Swindon in order to provide a fresh set of eyes and to play the role of a ‘critical friend’ most effectively.

Coun Foley said: “Improving education is at the heart of the council’s vision, priorities and pledges and we have set some challenging targets over the next few years, which is why Swindon Challenge is so important in helping us to achieve those goals.

“Although we have a number of fantastic schools and exceptional teachers, we know there are areas where we need to do better. We have made great strides already with the work we are doing with phonics and writing in our primary schools and we have worked hard to help some of our secondary schools by setting up partnerships with other schools so they can share best practice and drive up standards.

“But we will not see instant results. This is the start of a journey and it will not be easy, but I am confident that with everyone pulling in the right direction, Swindon will rise to the challenge.”

The Swindon Challenge Board will meet quarterly in its full form but there will be also be a programme of more regular focused workshops to complement the group’s agenda.