Housing work with schools boosts educational performance

A new report out on 11th November demonstrates that when schools and housing providers work together closely they can achieve better educational performance, improve behaviour and boost the reputation of neighbourhoods.

The research 'Schools, housing and the community' was carried out by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) with support from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Communities and Local Government and Sunderland City Council. It looks at how housing organisations have worked successfully with schools to boost educational performance, improve behaviour in school and in the community, cut exclusions and improve pupils' training and employment chances on leaving school.

Poverty, social deprivation and neighbourhood decline has been shown to have a detrimental effect on educational outcomes and achievement. Improved neighbourhoods, however, lead to more people wanting to live there which in turn can lead to more popular local schools. The research calls on more housing organisations to work closely with schools to benefit their own residents and the wider community.

Case studies in the research include:

- £2 million sponsorship of an Academy by New Charter Housing Group which has had early success in improving attendance and punctuality and building young people's contribution to the neighbourhood. First year GCSE results improved by 63 per cent;

- an inclusion unit funded by Regenda Group in Garstang High School that has cut the days lost from exclusions from 550 to 125 days as well as improving behaviour and improving the school's reputation. The school's performance assessment moved from 'notice to improve' in 2005 to 'outstanding' in 2007 and there has been an 18 per cent improvement in GCSE attainment over the last three years;

- a partnership between Contour Housing Group and Limeside primary school in Oldham that has changed negative perceptions of the school and the area as part of a wider regeneration scheme and made the area a popular choice with a waiting list of families to move there;

- an after school programme funded and run by East Thames Housing Association at Eastlea School Canning Town is helping Year 10 pupils to develop their skills and is targeted at those who are most at risk of leaving school without going on to employment or training

John Thornhill, co-author of the research, said: "There are some fantastic examples of collaboration between schools and housing organisations around the country achieving real benefits for children, their families and the wider community. Housing organisations have grasped that their work doesn't stop with providing homes but can have a much wider and long lasting impact. The wider impact of housing on education, health and care will be examined at a seminar on 10 December."

Ian Austin MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Diana Johnson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools, have lent their support to the work. In their foreword to the research, they said: "From working together to combat anti-social behaviour and preparing young people to manage independence and make realistic life choices, to making joint investments in the physical infrastructure of the local community, as this report highlights, there are clearly ways in which schools and housing providers can work together to achieve shared and complementary objectives."