To receive a verbal brief from the Director of Children’s Services
Minutes:
Fintan Bradley attended to provide a presentation on the Government White Paper on Education. In providing an overview to the Paper, it was made clear that what was available at the current time were mainly policy headlines, as the background and detail to these had not yet been made available.
With this in mind, the main issues relating to the White Paper were outlined as follows:
Fintan Bradley continued to report on and add what detail was available to a number of these key priorities in the White Paper, touching on issues that had particular relevance to Cheshire East. For instance, in relation to ‘sector led school improvement’, it was explained that the Government expected well performing schools to support other schools in the area. Attention was drawn to the fact that work of this nature already occurred in Cheshire East with Tytherington High School providing assistance to Macclesfield High School. It was reported that this policy would continue to be implemented, as and when appropriate.
With regards to reforming the funding system two issues were touched upon. Firstly, it was reported that more categories of children would be covered by the ‘pupil premium’ program and that this would have consequences. It was explained that it was difficult to know what these could be at the current time. Secondly, the schools funding formula was to be simplified and made more transparent.
In terms of improving the quality of teaching, it was reported that among a number of initiatives, the role of schools as teacher training institutions would become more pronounced. Attention was drawn to the fact that two schools in Cheshire East (FallibroomeHigh School and HolmesChapel School) were already operating as teacher training schools and would continue to do so.
With concern to improving behaviour in order to have a ‘Safe, Secure and Orderly Learning Environment’, it was reported that teachers would have increased powers and authority. It was explained that there was little detail to how this would be practically implemented but it was expected that teachers would be able to sanction behaviour “beyond the school gate”, having potential consequences for school buses etc. Furthermore, it was noted that the Government would pilot a new approach for permanently excluded pupils, following other examples in which the school excluding the pupil had to find an appropriate alternative rather than the local authority.
It was explained that the curriculum, assessments and qualifications would possibly look very different in the future. Schools could be measured against how many students achieve an English Baccalaureate – a core number of subjects including English, Maths, Science, a Modern or Ancient Language and either Geography or History. Mark Bayley explained that last year’s performance data had been measured against the new proposed performance thresholds and that following this Cheshire East would have six schools below the floor target rather than four. It was also reported that the number of pupils achieving the Baccalaureate in their respective schools ranged from 34% to 1.3%. Attention was drawn to the fact that there were over 100 potential courses for pupils to take and therefore it was unlikely that they would currently take the combination required for the Baccalaureate.
Fintan Bradley moved on to outline the consequences to local authorities and their role in providing education. It was explained that in a more autonomous schools system, local authorities have a crucial role to play by:
Within this, it was reported that accountability of schools would undergo change and that this was a very important aspect of the paper. It was noted that Governors will have enhanced powers to hold schools to account and that there would be a possible role for Scrutiny.
With the opening question, John McCann queried whether the hard to place protocol, with regards to excluded pupils, would still be in place. It was reported that as it is part of the National Admissions Process it would continue to operate. It was also confirmed that Academies would have to work to this protocol.
With regards to the section of the White Paper which suggested that Academies should reflect the local community, it was queried what this actually meant. It was answered that whilst detail was lacking, it was expected that an Academy should be appropriate for the area. The example of an Academy in Dartmouth was provided which has strong links to the Naval College.
In light of the lack of current detail available to substantiate the policy headlines, the Chairman suggested that particular items should be brought back to the Committee when the background became available.
RESOLVED –
a) That the presentation be noted
b) That items be brought back to Committee as the relevant detail becomes available.