Presentation
Minutes:
Committee received a presentation giving an update on the Education Service response to the pandemic.
In terms of what went well, it was noted that all schools stayed open during the initial lockdown, with places provided for vulnerable and key worker children and good contact was maintained with families not attending school. In addition schools worked with the School Meals team to ensure no child went hungry.
Robust risk assessments were put in place and good risk assessments were led by the Council’s Health and Safety Team. Committee was advised that since September the vast majority of children have thrived since returning to school.
Schools have advised that communication has been great throughout with daily briefings being sent out initially and weekly virtual meetings with Headteachers continues. Schools have appreciated that services have adapted so quickly.
In terms of what has not worked so well, these are mainly issues beyond the control of the schools and Council with a lot of mixed messages coming out of Government, and therefore that has been a lot of reliance on schools and Headteachers. For example around free school meal vouchers, track and trace and changing messages regarding GCSE’s. there is also still concern about statutory assessments and accountability. It was noted that this has added to the growing pressure and anxiety in schools that is being felt by leaders and staff.
It was acknowledged that a number of lessons have been learnt, for example utilising technology and if this were to happen again contact with vulnerable families would need to be made even quicker. In addition, the redeployment of staff to roles where they can make a difference would be done quicker.
In terms of ongoing challenges, these were outlined as;
· Significant disruption of education due to ‘bubbles’ popping
· Staffing level becoming challenging in some schools
· Potential supply costs could have a very negative impact on budgets
· Tension / anxiety within many schools remains high – for example there has been an increase in the number of grievances, with more pressure on teachers who feel that they have never been off duty.
The point was made that there have been real issues with digital access for some pupils, this has been down to lack of equipment or affordability of access to data. This has led to difficulties for some children in completing their work as some schools have been reluctant to give paperwork to pupils. This issue was acknowledged as a concern and schools have been encouraged to do more ‘blended learning’. A group was set up early on in the pandemic to look at what tools were available to them. An example was given of Carr Hill Primary School which went back to paper resources as it was felt that this was right for that community.
It was noted that early on in the pandemic, through a government scheme, vulnerable children were identified to receive laptops. Each school was then given a notional number of laptops they should receive, however this number was then lowered which resulted in some schools not receiving the quantity they should have.
Concerns were raised that if teachers have to isolate because their own child has been sent home to isolate they do not receive full pay. It was confirmed that this was a decision taken within HR and is not just in relation to schools but is across all services. Committee requested further information on the rationale of this decision.
It was asked whether there was any feedback on how year 6 children have transitioned into secondary school. It was noted that a number of secondary schools were creative with their transition arrangements, for example offering virtual tours, and there have been no reported problems outside of the ordinary for this year.
It was queried what the intake into nursery has been like this year, in particular in terms of speech and language skills. It was noted that the Early Years Team will be working on these figures and be making comparisons to previous years.
It was questioned as to what support is being provided to Teachers through the pandemic. It was confirmed that counselling services have been increased, and whereas previously Governors would challenge schools a different ethos is being created. In terms of SATS for example schools are being told to do what is right for the school and their children. The Service was keen to ensure staff were being listened to and therefore reassurance and counselling is continuing to be offered.
It was queried whether data is being collected around staff absence and the number of children working from home. It was confirmed that there has been close work with Public Health and they receive daily numbers of pupils and staff who are isolating on a school by school basis.
RESOLVED - That the information presented be noted.