Policy Statements and Initiatives

CLG: Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has confirmed that an ideas competition will be run to develop & set the design standards for ten new eco-towns.  The Government's adviser on architecture and urban design CABE, with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, will assist the Government in the competition and establish a judging panel to assess the entries.
 
The competition will focus both on the practical design ideas and the design & development process. At the end of the competition, the best of the ideas & lessons learned will be drawn together in an exhibition and eco-towns "compendium", which will help inform the thinking of local authorities and developers taking forward eco-town proposals.
Press release ~ Eco -towns Prospectus ~ CLG – Eco Towns ~ Housing Green Paper ~ CABE ~ Royal Institute of British Architects ~ The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment
 
DCSF: Schools Minister Andrew Adonis has announced John Stannard as the new National Champion for the Young Gifted and Talented (YG&T) programme, which nurtures the abilities of the most able children.  His first priority will be to target the 300 secondary schools which still do not identify any gifted & talented pupils, so that every school has in place extra provision to meet their needs.
 
This follows the Prime Minister's announcement this week that the YG&T programme will be expanded to support one million gifted and talented learners.  He also announced an inquiry to report on how applications to universities can be increased from comprehensives in disadvantaged areas.  The Sutton Trust and universities will be engaged in this work.
Press release ~ Learner Academy ~ Sutton Trust ~ CfBT Education Trust ~ Excellence hubs ~ Standards Site - Gifted and Talented ~ National Programme for Gifted and Talented Education Learner Academy Website
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