In 2000, Bradford Council decided to establish a strategic partnership for the provision of school-focussed educational services. This involved the procurement of a direct service provider who would work in partnership with and under contract to the Council. The contract was awarded to Serco, which took up its responsibilities in the contract under the name of Education Bradford in July 2001. It is a ten-year contract and the largest of its type in Europe. Education Bradford is one part of a strategic partnership for education in Bradford. The other partners are the Council, the Education Strategy Group (ESG) and schools. The mission statement for the partnership entitled ‘Achieving Together’ is: 'To work together, and with others, to bring about transformational change and significant improvement to the educational opportunities and achievements of all the young people of Bradford and to make an important contribution to the social cohesion and regeneration of the district.’