Derbyshire one of 55 areas designated a Government ‘Education Investment Area’

Derbyshire County Council has welcomed news that the county is one of the areas to be included in new Government plans to transform education.

In a recent report, Derbyshire was identified as one of 55 ‘cold spots’ across the country to benefit as a ‘Education Investment Area’.

In these new areas the Department for Education will target investment, support and action to help children from all backgrounds and areas to succeed at the very highest levels.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Alex Dale said: “We very much welcome today’s announcement that Derbyshire has been recognised as one of 55 areas across the country to benefit from this new Government investment in education to ensure every child has the same opportunities, wherever they live and whatever their background. 

“This investment into the county is a great opportunity to support our schools and will complement work we’ve already started by investing £1m into local programmes to improve reading and essential life skills for young people.

“The detail of exactly what this announcement means for Derbyshire is to follow and we will be studying it closely, but meanwhile we look forward to working with the Department for Education on our collective ambition to improve education in Derbyshire and give every child the best possible start in life.”

The new Government investment will build on Derbyshire County Council’s work during the Coronavirus pandemic to deliver its £2.8m Holiday Activities and Food programme, which established a network of 62 community and voluntary providers to deliver more than 60,000 holiday activity and food places to vulnerable children eligible to free school meals over summer and Christmas. 

At the height of the pandemic between June 2020 and October 2021 the council also offered an additional 816 places through its sports and outdoor education services, delivered more than 9,000 digital devices to Derbyshire children through Government schemes and provided internet connection to 562 children and young people across Derbyshire.