Whether your children are in school yet or not, the award-winning education system in Leeds offers families everything they need, as Dom Dwight discovers

For those with a family or those planning to start one, the importance of good education services when deciding to relocate cannot be underestimated. Leeds is a natural choice for those wishing to educate their children in a city with a true sense of community and a more family-friendly pace of life. “Education in Leeds has much to celebrate,” explains Chris Edwards, the Chief Executive of Education Leeds. “Our schools are more focused on the basics while at the same time finding ever more innovative and inspiring ways to engage our learners, from the very youngest to our post-16 students.”

The £240m Building Schools for the Future programme is already taking effect with new-build schools and refurbishment programmes well underway. “State-of-the-art facilities are transforming teaching and learning,” add Edwards.

A city for results

The standard of education in Leeds can be seen in the strong academic results throughout the whole city — 2007 saw the best A Level and GCSE results ever, with more than 52% of young people gaining 5 A*-C grades at GCSE — and also in the fact that 11 Leeds schools were named in the government’s annual list of outstanding schools.

Of course it’s also the quality and diversity of the services offered to those studying that really makes a difference, and this is yet another area where Leeds provides an inspirational example. From City Learning Centres to nationally recognised inclusion strategies and outstanding work with the healthy schools agenda — for which Education Leeds were awarded national Beacon Status in early 2007 — those relocating to Leeds will find that the city nurtures a positive, many faceted approach to education.

The early years

Although considering primary education options will be years away for those with very young children, there are still a number of factors for relocating families to consider. Thankfully, nurseries and childcare provision in Leeds is of such high standard you’ll find it very easy to settle in and get on with the challenge of being parents.

Whether you want to know how to find out about childminders in your area, or you need help working out costs, the best place to find out anything about childcare is The Family Hub, a facility provided by Leeds City Council’s Youth and Early Years Service. This offers a free telephone, one-to-one appointment and internet service at www.thefamilyhubleeds.org.uk and is a vital ‘one stop shop’. The Family Hub help you know your rights too, including advice on financial help from the government.

Nationally, all three and four year olds are entitled to five two and a half hour sessions of free early education a week for 38 weeks a year, but Leeds City Council are piloting a scheme from April 2007 for some nurseries to offer 15 hours per week, flexibly, which will become a national standard by 2010 — further evidence of Leeds leading the way in supporting families.