MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs J L Wareham (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mr J F Howe, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr A J Mellor, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards

Co-opted :

Archdeacon M Banting, Sister Patricia

Spokesperson :

Mr P G Harris

Apologies :

Mr C B W Chapman, Mr C R Hancock, Mr N Mitchell, Ms M Wilson

21.      MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2002 be confirmed.

22.      REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

           (a)       Proposal for Altering the Pattern of the School Year

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development reported on the proposals for altering the pattern of the school year. The proposals for a transfer to a six term year with the first two terms being between August and December and the remaining four terms being of roughly equal length during the rest of the academic year had been suggested by a Local Government Association (LGA) Commission headed by Christopher Price. The LGA were now seeking the views of the Local Education Authorities on the proposals.

It was noted that the proposals included provision for 190 teaching days, greater flexibility for schools in determining how to construct professional development days, reducing the lengthy summer holiday that might have a negative impact on student’s learning, having a longer break in the autumn to split up the current long autumn term, and bringing forward the current examination period (the “assessment term”) so as to avoid the hayfever season and also to allow students to apply for places in higher education with the knowledge of their examination results.

The Committee noted the national recommendations and considered that a number would be an improvement on the existing arrangements. There was some concern at starting the first term before the August Bank Holiday.

RESOLVED :

THAT the national recommendations be noted and that consultation on the proposals be undertaken with all major stakeholders followed by a report back to this Select Committee in April 2002.

           (b)       Education Development Plan

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development presented the final draft of the Education Development Plan that the LEA had a statutory duty to produce and implement. The plan demonstrated how the LEA would provide schools with appropriate challenge and support in order to secure ongoing school improvement. The plan had been prepared in consultation with the schools a range of interested parties, and the Task Group that had been established by this Committee for that purpose.

It was noted that the plan contained a number of targets and that the LEA performance would be measured by how well these targets had been achieved.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :

THAT the Education Development Plan (May 2002 to May 2007) be approved for adoption by the Council.

RESOLVED :

THAT a standing task group be established to monitor, review and evaluate the Education Development Plan as set out in section (ii) Annex 4 of the Plan.

           (c)       The Early Years Development and Childcare Plan 2002/2004

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development presented the final draft of the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan 2002/2004 that the LEA was required to submit to the DfES by 1 March 2002. The plan had been prepared following detailed discussions and consultation with the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

Whilst generally supporting the plan concern was expressed by some members at the lack of time that had been available for the Committee to really scrutinise the plan and the implementation of the service. It was noted that this was partially due to the tight deadlines for the preparation of the plan set down by the Government.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :

THAT the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan be recommendation for adoption by the Council.

23.      FORWARD PLAN

RESOLVED :

THAT the Forward Plan for February to May 2002 be noted.

CHAIRMAN