Press Release
As many of you may know, the EAZ officially came to an end on 9 January 2005, after five years of work in the area. However, the work will not stop. Many of the current staff, policies and ideas will carry on, under the name of the Sage Educational Trust.
The new organisation takes its name from Val Sage, who worked closely with the EAZ and died last year. Her work, enthusiasm and energy will be continued through the new charitable trust.
The Trust had its inaugral meeting in October 2004 and eight trustees are already in place to support its work. Many of the EAZ’s successful programmes will continue and all 22 of the original schools will continue to participate.
Some of the funding secured by the EAZ, such as Neighbourhood Renewal Funding, will continue and new financing will come from other areas. Some projects will be funded by the DFES, through the Excellence in Cities programme. The Culture and Community Department at Lewisham has also earmarked £100,000 for the Sage Educational Trust, to enable it to continue the EAZ’s work with families and parents, as well as various Arts projects. Aileen Buckton, Head of Culture and Community, said:
“I am delighted that we have been able to support the EAZ in building its successor organisation. We are particularly pleased with the partnership work that has been developed this year between Downham and Bellingham schools and local voluntary and community organisations, and our success in increasing arts-based work in schools.”
The Trust will continue to work closely with local parents and families. The main focus areas within schools will be Leadership and Management, covering areas such as schools’ self evaluation, behaviour management, sharing good practice and individual pupil tracking; and Teaching and Learning, including work on Literacy and Numeracy and ICT.
Contact details will remain the same, just watch out for the new name:
THE SAGE EDUCATIONAL TRUST.