Issue - meetings

This report is for information and provides an update to the Panel on the revised School Improvement Policy.

The Head of Education Improvement introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that it is a requirement that all local authorities set out in policy how they fulfil their statutory functions in relation to supporting school improvement.

She added that all Local Authorities are subject to Ofsted Inspection of their School Improvement functions. She stated that a School Improvement Policy was in place and had been revised in 2013. Following new guidance issued by Ofsted in November 2014 on how it will conduct the inspection of Local Authority’s statutory function for school improvement, it was necessary to revise our policy to meet these new requirements.  Officers have consulted with key partners to raise awareness of the new requirements and ensure that the revised policy is compliant.

She stated that protocols for working with academies and free schools were set out within Appendix A of the report and that it was the ambition of the Council for all children to be able to attend a ‘Good’ school.

The Chair commented that the focus on collaboration was welcome.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how many Senior School Improvement Advisers (SSIA) there were.

The Head of Education Improvement replied that there were two and that they would visit all Primary schools as part of this work. She added that they have no statutory right to work with academies or free schools, but they have approached them and indications are that they would welcome taking part in a similar piece of work.

She added that under the new Ofsted framework, from September 2015, ‘Good’ schools can be subject to a one day visit with the emphasis on showing their current progress. She said that in some schools SEN provision was key to pupil behaviour and progress.

The Chair asked if the Panel could be issued with data as to the turnover of Headteachers, Deputy Heads and Chairs of Governors within B&NES.

The Head of Education Improvement said she sure that information would be available in relation to Headteachers and Chairs of Governors.

The Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning commented that he thought this figure would be low.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the revised School Improvement Policy.