The Weston Excellence Cluster aims to raise teaching and learning standards in 17 schools across the town and adopts innovative methods to raise pupil aspirations and attainment.

It was established in 2004 following the success of the Weston Education Achievement Zone and the national Excellence in Cities programme.

The selection of its member schools was based upon educational and social needs and now includes the following 17 schools:

The Cluster is led by the Excellence Cluster Manager and the Internal Management Group. Full Partnership Board Meetings are held three times a year.

The Cluster entered a new phase in September 2008. This runs until August 2011. The work of the Cluster is now focused around the following five key strands:

• Learning Mentors and Learning Support Units
• Continuity
• Language Acquisition and Development
• Creativity
• Parent Participation

Each of these Strands is led by a Strand Leader.

In addition, the Cluster is developing a 'cutting edge' project - 'Network 13'. This project is centrally about creativity, children and young people, change and innovation. Specifically it is about the practical ways we can increase and develop creatvitiy in our schools. We work closely with North Somerset's Find your Talent project on this work.