The Government has committed further funding to improve educational standards and raise accessibility: spending worth 5.6% of GDP is allocated for 2007–08, but there is a need to ensure value for money. Government education strategy is focused on working in partnership across the public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver high quality results. We are particularly well placed to contribute because we combine ground-level experience in schools and higher education with strategic support for local authorities and the DfES. Industry analysts are predicting market growth rates of 7.6% out to 2010.*

* Source: Ovum 2006

Drivers

• Efficiency targets of at least £4.3bn by 2007-08, of which 50% must be reinvested in front line activities
• Pressure for more shared services across the sector
• Children’s Services Agenda – the embedding of Children’s Trusts linking education, social, health and other services
• Local authorities moving towards a commissioning role, with less emphasis on delivering services themselves
• Government commitment to investing in infrastructure and ICT through Building Schools for the Future programme
• Focus on ICT to reduce bureaucracy, enhance assessment and improve financial management
• The Leitch Review of skills and the Government’s policies for further education and training will create new opportunities.