Agenda item

Report of Interim Strategic Director, Care Wellbeing and Learning

The Committee received a monitoring report following last year’s review of the role of the Council in supporting the educational outcomes of vulnerable and poorly performing pupils.

It was noted that schools are continuing to be challenged around gaps in attainment and currently the biggest issue is at Key Stage 4.  Governing Bodies and inspection teams have received training around giving robust but appropriate challenge to schools.  The strategic delivery of education services is a key part of the Council’s ongoing review as a response to the reducing budget.  It was noted that this financial year there has been a 40% budget reduction, however there have been no redundancies as services have traded more.

In terms of Special Schools and specialist support from the NHS, work is continuing and will form part of the Committee’s annual discussion with Special School Headteachers.  Since the final report, Eslington School is now on two sites so there is double the capacity.  It was suggested that teachers from ARMS units should be invited to future Special Schools Conferences.

It was acknowledged that the impact on pupils is difficult to measure, however the gap between disadvantaged pupils and others has increased by the end of Key Stage 4.

Next steps include, developing the skills of Governors to challenge leaders, this will continue to be reviewed.  Following the publication of the White Paper consideration will need to be given as to where school improvement will sit in the future.  Consultation between the local authority and Special School Headteachers to ensure the correct number and types of places in special education are available. In particular, there has been an increase in autistic pupils and it is therefore important to have enough adequate places for all pupils.  It was also noted that analysis of 2015/16 exam data will be carried out to assess the level of impact in closing the attainment gap between vulnerable pupils and others. 

A summary of the White Paper was provided and the main points highlighted.  It was noted that there is a push to move to multi-academy trusts chains, which can be cross authorities.  There is also proposed a new government power to convert underperforming schools to academies.  The White Paper also sets out the future role of local authorities, this is to ensure every child has a school place, the needs of vulnerable pupils are met and acting as champions for all parents and families.

It was questioned whether local authorities can become sponsors for multi-academy trust.  It was noted that there are currently talks with the DfE ongoing around potential models, however no further information has been provided yet.  Concerns were raised about the impact on the whole borough if the local authority is no longer driving attainment.  It was confirmed that there is a motion to full Council next week and a meeting is planned for May to meet with Headteachers and Governors about where to go next.