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EDUCATION AND SKILLS CABINET PANEL
14 JULY 2010
M I N U T E S
ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
N Bell, C L Berry, M S Crawley, T L F Douris (Vice-Chairman), M J Frearson, T C Heritage, F R G Hill, A Lee, J K Maddern, C A Mitchell, A Plancey, T J Price (substitute for R H Beeching), R A C Thake (Chairman, Executive Member for Education & Skills), M A Watkin
Parent-Governor/Church Representative (Voting)
N Betteley
Also present:
A Atherton, S Milligan, J Reynolds, D Williams
Upon consideration of the agenda for the Education and Skills Cabinet Panel meeting on 14 July 2010 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:
Note: No conflicts of interest were declared by any member of the Panel in relation to the matters on which conclusions were reached at this meeting.
PART 1
ACTION1 / MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Education and Skills Cabinet Panel held on 17 March 2010 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
2 / PUBLIC PETITIONS
There were no public petitions.
3 / TRANSFER TO STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
[Officer contact: Glenda Hardy, Head of Admissions and Transport
Tel: 01992 555862
Jayne Howard, Strategy and Policy Manager,
Admissions and Transport Tel: 01992 555933]
3.1 / The Panel considered a report, which clarified the process being undertaken to move to a system of straight line measurement for school admission allocation purposes, in response to a query from a local resident.
3.2 / The Panel noted that all Admissions and Transport Officers and Customer Service Centre Advisors had been fully briefed on the transfer to straight line distance measurement and were, therefore, able to advise members of the public accordingly.
3.3 / There was discussion about address points for homes and schools. It was noted that set home address points were already embedded in the current system and were provided by Ordnance Survey, based on specific map reference coordinates and every address in the UK had its own unique numbered point. It was also noted that address points provided by Ordnance Survey would be used for schools and only one address point would be used for each school in cases where schools have amalgamated or have split sites.
3.4 / With regard to communications, it was noted that the parents on existing continuing interest lists would be affected, so it would be important to ensure they are informed of the changes. The Panel noted that letters had already been sent to 6500 parents requesting confirmation of current continuing interest applications. Additional letters would be sent to transfer year groups in September 2010. These letters would clarify that the change in distance measurement could affect their child’s position on continuing interest.
Conclusion
3.5 / The Panel noted this report and the response at Appendix A and Appendix B to the specific questions raised in relation to the transfer to straight line distance measurement for school admissions.
4 / DEVELOPING SPECIAL PROVISION LOCALLY
[Officer contact: Jim Dalton, Lead Officer for Developing Special
Provision Locally Tel: 01992 588555]
4.1 / The Panel considered a report which outlined a strategic framework for Developing Special Provision Locally (DSPL), built on responses from stakeholders to the consultation document approved by Panel in February 2010.
4.2 / The Panel noted the components of the proposed strategic framework and highlighted that this is a strategy for children and young people of ages 0 to 25, ranging from Early Years settings to Further Education colleges.
4.3 / In response to a question from a Member, it was noted that it was anticipated that existing ongoing out of county placements would not be disturbed with the implementation of the strategic framework for DSPL. However some parents may wish for their children to move to a suitable local setting if it were available.
4.4 / The Panel noted that the Schools Forum were already supporting this work and had given £2.4million to Children, Schools and Families (CSF), £5million to mainstream schools, and £500,000 to start work on placements. It was noted that expenditure for out of county places had fallen this year, providing the first opportunity to recycle that funding. Members of the Panel also noted that Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) funding used for transport would not be recycled.
4.5 / There was discussion of the issues regarding children whose needs were not severe and could be educated in mainstream settings but had difficulty integrating with their peers and the importance of educating the other children to understand and accept these individuals. It was noted that support services were available through the Special Advisory Service and work would be done with schools through the School Improvement Teams. It was noted that the issue of the reluctance of schools to engage was being addressed and that involvement from Hertfordshire Association of Secondary Headteachers (HASH) was helpful. It was also noted that the number of schools reluctant to get involved was very small and decreasing.
4.6 / The importance of educating not only children, but also parents and teachers in order to enable children with special needs to be integrated into mainstream schools successfully was highlighted and a Topic Group to focus on this was suggested.
4.7 / There was discussion of the importance of transition between primary and secondary school and it was noted that a balance needed to be struck between provision of care and support and a allowing a child to develop independence.
4.8 / The issue of schools reluctance to take children with special needs, due to concern about the impact on exam results, was raised. The Panel noted that it would potentially be possible to change the way in which results in Hertfordshire are reported and agreed to consider this suggestion at a meeting of the Panel next academic year (2010/11), for which a report would be presented. / Justin Donovan
Conclusions
4.9 / The Panel:
(a) noted the feedback from the consultation
(b) considered and noted the proposed strategic framework for Developing Special Provision Locally (DSPL)
(c) noted that a number of points to consider from the debate had been identified by the Lead Officer
4.10 / The Panel agreed to recommend to Cabinet that it agrees that the strategic framework for Developing Special Provision Locally (DSPL), as set out in the report, should be the basis for specific proposals to implement DSPL that would be brought forward for consultation from September 2010 onwards.
5 / A NEW MODEL FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
[Officer contact: Gill Jones, Head of Standards and School
Effectiveness Tel: 01438 844818]
5.1 / The Panel considered a report which proposed a new partnership model for school improvement in Hertfordshire that would be leaner, more efficient and aligned with national and local requirements.
5.2 / The Panel noted that the new model for school improvement, which is due to be launched in September 2011 as part of the Council for the Future transformation, came about as a result of significant changes nationally and locally. It was also noted that a government white paper was expected in September 2010, which would clarify the government position.
5.3 / With regard to the financial implications, it was noted that the figure of £6.2m for grants given in the report had changed and was expected to change further until the spending review in September 2010.
5.4 / The Panel noted the four options for the new model. It was noted that the preferred option was model 4 (To create a lean in-house school improvement model developed and run in partnership with schools). The importance of the relationship with schools was highlighted, with regard to this co-produced model that utilises the expertise that exists in schools.
5.5 / It was noted that school governors had played a key part in the consultation process and their input had been valuable and largely positive. The Panel noted that there had been a suggestion from governors during the consultation that a special School Improvement Partner (SIP) for governors be created.
5.6 / There was discussion of the complaints procedure for schools and the routes for school complaints were outlined.
5.7 / The Panel noted the inspection results for Hertfordshire and thanked Gill Jones for all the work that had gone into achieving these results.
5.8 / As this was the last meeting of the Panel before her retirement, Members took the opportunity to thank Gill Jones sincerely for all her hard work and the valuable contribution she had made in her time as Head of Standards and School Effectiveness and wished her all the very best in the future.
5.9 / The Panel welcomed and looked forward to working with Gillian Cawley, who would become Interim Head of Standards and School Effectiveness when Gill Jones retires in September 2010.
5.10 / Conclusions
The Panel:
(a) noted the report.
(b) endorsed the new partnership model for school improvement in
Hertfordshire and endorsed option 4 as the preferred model.
6 / SAFE STAFFING TEAM (2010 UPDATE)
[Officer contact: Angela Hodson, HR Manager, Herts HR Safe
Staffing (Resources and Performance)
Tel: 01992 556609]
6.1 / The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the role of the Safe Staffing Team; Criminal Records’ Bureau (CRB) requirements and legislation and the management of these arrangements within Hertfordshire County Council (HCC); the schools’ Single Central Record (SCR) for 2009/10 and plans for 2010/12; the national Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) and its implementation within HCC; and management information on key areas of Safe Staffing.
6.2 / It was noted that, although the Vetting and Barring Scheme had now been halted by government, the duty to refer and CRB application forms would continue.
6.3 / With regard to the Single Central Record, it was noted that the average score for the audit for 2009/10 had risen to 92.6% from 82% in 2008/9.
6.4 / The Panel noted that there had been redeployment of staff since the Vetting and Barring Scheme was halted in order to retain expertise for the new system, when it is announced.
Conclusions
6.5 / The Panel:
(a) noted the key work carried out to ensure the safety of children
within HCC’s supervision and care
(b) noted that the Safe Staffing team was waiting for direction and
clarity in key areas relating to their work, due to the change in
government
7 / IMPACT OF AREA REVIEWS
[Officer contact: Simon Newland, Head of School Planning &
Director of BSF Tel: 01992 555763]
7.1 / The Panel considered a report that analysed the impact of a sample of reviews of school place provision undertaken as Area Reviews.
7.2 / It was noted that there was clear evidence that the review programmes were successful in terms of reducing surplus capacity, improving buildings, generating net capital receipts for the Council and reducing unit costs of school provision. With regard to the impact of surplus place reviews, the Panel noted that the evidence was neutral in terms of standards and attainment, but that when proposing closures officers had stated that the intention was to pre-empt future declines in standards rather than wait until they had taken place. Case studies showed that interventions in particular circumstances had been successful in driving up standards.
7.3 / The Panel was advised that every time a review was done, it should be looked at again a couple of years later. It was noted that, with the current system, this was not done as a matter of course but only at the specific request of Members.
7.4 / The Panel noted that improvements could be made with regard to public consultation.
8 / PROPOSALS FOR A TOWN-WIDE TRUST IN STEVENAGE
[Officer contact: Simon Newland, Head of School Planning &
Director of BSF Tel: 01992 555763]
8.1 / The Panel considered a report outlining the current status of proposals for a town-wide trust in Stevenage and possibilities arising.
8.2 / It was noted that there had been significant changes on a national level since the development of the proposals and it was anticipated that some schools in Stevenage may consider Academy status in future.
8.3 / The Panel noted that it was necessary to pause the development of the town-wide trust until more detail was given on the service delivery. The Panel noted that this would be taken forward in future.
9 / DATE OF NEXT MEETING
[Officer Contact: Fiona Corcoran, Democratic Services Officer
Tel: 01992 555560]
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 2pm in Committee Room B. / All to note
Kathryn Pettitt
Chief Legal Officer
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