Agenda item

This report provides a briefing on the evolving role of the Local Authority in the education system.

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that  10 out of 13 secondary schools were now academies and that the majority converted as good or outstanding schools in their own right, or as part of an existing federation; 2 are sponsored by wider academy groups. He added that some of the secondary schools have been established as ‘Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) meaning that they are approved to sponsor further schools to join them as academies under a combined Academy Trust.

He said that all three of our special schools were now academies, with the Fosse Way MAT also expanding with an existing Somerset primary and new Free Special School being established in Somerset. He added that four local Primary schools are now academies– 3 on their own (Chew Stoke Primary, St. John’s Midsomer Norton and Trinity in Radstock) and High Littleton in a MAT.

He explained that Free Schools are new schools set up by groups of parents or other organisations (including existing schools and academies) who perceive a need for an additional school to fill a gap in capacity or in the range of education on offer in a particular locality. There is a national approval process through which they must evidence the need/demand for the new school and demonstrate how they would operate it. He added that Free Schools are established as academies and can take several forms, including Studio Schools (one has just opened locally and 2 more have been approved), more traditional Primary or Secondary schools, Special Schools, or alternative provision. In addition to the Special and Studio Schools mentioned above, there is a proposal from the Bath Education Trust to establish a new Primary Free School in Bath and this is currently being examined by DfE. He stated that the Authority has a formal policy on Free Schools and Academies, which takes a neutral stance on schools converting to academies; and a cautious stance on the creation of Free Schools, unless there is good evidence of demand and suitability.

He said that one of the key statutory duties the Authority retains is to ensure a sufficient supply of school places to meet local demand. In the new context, with academies able to choose independently whether to expand or contract and the opportunity for Free Schools to open regardless of LA place planning strategy, this is potentially an area of increasing challenge for us. Our Schools Organisation Plan sets out our current projections of need for pupil places in both primary and secondary sectors and in each locality within the authority, with specific proposals for expansion of relevant schools as required to meet demand over the next few years. He added that as academies choose to expand or contract and as Free Schools open, we will have to adjust our plans accordingly and that partnership between all the organisations involved is obviously one of the keys to our being able to undertake this duty effectively.

He stated that the Local Authority continues to deliver a range of school-related services, either because it has a statutory duty to ensure these functions are delivered across all schools; or because there is demand for these services from maintained and/or academy schools. There is the potential for further changes in the realm of service provision over future years, either because the LA chooses to commission or provide services differently to achieve efficiencies; or because the level of ‘buy in’ from schools and academies increases or reduces. There are no specific plans for significant change at this time.

He said relationships between schools and between the LA and schools have historically been generally strong – although this varies between individual schools. With the advent of academy conversion as a route to greater autonomy and in some localities a greater sense of competition between schools, we saw a more stark contrast in this range. As the system matures and in the wake of significant work to further clarify the new roles and relationships within this system, we are now seeing positive signs of a more mature partnership emerging. Secondary head teachers have recently met with the LA and given positive support for a more regular strategic forum to come together as partners in the system. We have also been working closely with the Teaching School, Diocese of Bath & Wells, and local primary heads to develop proposals for an Education Excellence Board, comprising all primary schools, to promote the concept of the self-improving system as a collaborative venture between all schools and the key strategic partners.

He explained that in the new education landscape, the local authority retains a set of duties in respect of (a) all maintained schools (not including academies); and (b) all children irrespective of which type of school they attend and that from April 2012 the Government had changed the manner in which it funds local authorities for those retained duties.  This funding was removed from the Rate Support Grant, the grant for academies was then given directly from the Government to each academy and the remaining funds were returned to local authorities and re-named Education Support Grant.

He said that despite the change in title it remains a form of Rate Support Grant.  From next April this grant will be reduced by a further 20% equating to a cut of £507k for Bath and North East Somerset Council.  This Council’s spend on education related services covers Home to School Transport (HTST), Legacy Pensions and Redundancy costs in schools, service-supported borrowing undertaken in the past to enhance capital works to our schools and the provision of services such as Children Missing Education, Educational Psychology, Admissions, Place Planning and School Improvement.   

He informed the Panel that over the course of the current MTSRP, spending in these areas will reduce by £500,000.  This is in addition to a reduction of just under £5m caused by loss of specific government grants since June 2010.

He stated that the biggest “blocks” of spend are HTST, Pensions and Redundancy and Service-supported borrowing - these total £5m and offer little, if any, scope for savings.  Therefore to find further reductions from the remaining areas of expenditure will be very difficult given the reality that these services have been pared back already and are all delivering statutory duties which directly impact upon children, families and schools.

Councillor Sarah Bevan asked how much influence the Council has in creating new schools due to population growth.

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that where new housing developments are planned the Council has an influence through Section 106 agreements currently and subsequently will do through income of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how people wishing to open a Free School show that the school will meet a specific need.

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that groups or organisations such as Bath Education Trust (BET) will need to put a case together to the DfE to prove that one should be established.

The Strategic Director for People and Communities added that their case can have more weight if it is fitted around the current School Organisation Plan.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how savings to services would be made following the planned reduction to the Education Support Grant.

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that that would need to be considered as part of future budget setting processes and can be debated at a future meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she thought that the establishment of an Education Excellence Board with Primary Schools was a good idea and asked if one was planned for Secondary Schools.

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that he was open to the possibility of one, but that no plans were in the pipeline.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the evolving role of the Local Authority in education and to receive subsequent briefings as further developments occur.