MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 16 JUNE 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr J F Howe (Chairman), Mrs B D Clough, Mr M J Cunningham (deputising for Mr K Pearson), Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr P D Joyce, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton

Co-opted (voting) :

Archdeacon M Banting

Portfolio Holder :

Mrs J L Wareham

Apologies :

Mr C R Hancock, Mr N Mitchell, Mr K Pearson, Mr R C Richards

Also present :

Mr A C Bartlett

8.        MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2003 be confirmed.

9.        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made at this stage.

10.      PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mrs M Swan asked a question in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals. A copy of the question and reply given is contained in the Public Question Register (PQ27/03).

11.      URGENT BUSINESS - SEN REVIEW

The Chairman agreed to an item of urgent business being raised in connection with the membership of the member body set up at the last meeting to review the Council’s SEN statementing process. The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support indicated that since that meeting Mrs B Clough and Mr R C Richards had expressed an interest in assisting with the review.

RESOLVED :

THAT Mrs B Clough and Mr C R Richards be added to the membership of those involved in reviewing the SEN statementing process.

12.      LEA INSPECTION 2003

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development reported on the inspection of the LEA to be undertaken by OfSTED in September 2003. This would be in conjunction with the Audit Commission. In addition the Strategic Director had just been informed that a separate inspection would also be undertaken in connection with 14 - 19 education although the framework for this had not yet been finalised. The outcome of the inspections would feed into the Council’s overall Comprehensive Performance Assessment for 2003.

The process involved in the main inspection was outlined together with the five key functions that formed its basis.

The Strategic Director reminded members of the Post OfSTED Action Plan drawn up in January 2001 following the last inspection. The impact of the action taken in accordance with this had been assessed by officers. It was noted that the Strategic Director believed that, based on the latest census figures, the socio-economic context of the Island had been understated at the last inspection. The level of disadvantage impacted adversely upon pupil performance.

The development of school clusters to assist in school performance was highlighted. This method of working was aimed at a community based structure for the delivery of education. Cluster arrangements had been in operation in both the Ryde and Sandown areas for a number of years and was now being adopted for schools in the Cowes and East Cowes area. Members discussed the benefits of cluster working and considered that this was a matter that should be the subject of further debate by the Select Committee.

With regard to school performance the Select Committee discussed the vital role that parents played in ensuring that their children were fully engaged in education. It was felt that it would be appropriate for the Strategic Director to highlight this.

The Strategic Director then clarified the situation relating to teacher recruitment. He was not aware of any major difficulties being experienced by Island schools although there was a national shortage in Maths, Science and Modern Languages.

The Select Committee was advised that it was anticipated that the final report from OfSTED would be received in December 2003.

RESOLVED :

           (a)       THAT the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development facilitate a letter to parents where it is appropriate to highlight the need for pupils performance to be enhanced.

           (b)       THAT the Select Committee consider a report on the operation of school clusters.

           (c)       THAT the Select Committee receive a report on the OfSTED inspection early in 2004.

13.      EVALUATION OF THE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN (EDP)

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development reported on the progress made during 2002/03 on achieving the targets contained in the EDP. Members were reminded that the Plan was for the period May 2002 to March 2007 and it would therefore be several years before a number of the key activities were fully implemented. There was still a need to raise standards in boys performance, achievement in writing and matriculation at grade C or above for GCSE in English, Maths and Science. Members noted the ongoing activity with regard to 14 - 19 education.

The Select Committee discussed the adverse impact of turbulence, the movement of pupils in and out of schools, which was above the national average. OfSTED recognised that this had a negative effect on standards at 12%. During 2002 16.4% of Island schools experienced turbulence of at least 15%.

Members discussed the effect of cluster working which had been raised during the previous item. Such working could lead to improvements due to more coherent working practices being adopted. In some instances a common timetable was being adopted.

The Select Committee raised the lack of any mention of sport within the Plan. This was due to it not being recognised as a specific subject for curriculum purposes. Education Officers were working with the Sports and Recreation Manager on the establishment of a School Sports Partnership.

RESOLVED :

           (a)       THAT the progress being made on the targets included in the Education Development Plan be accepted.

           (b)       THAT when the Select Committee evaluates progress made in 2003/04 relevant stakeholders be invited to attend.

14.      MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Mr A C Bartlett raised questions in relation to the Ventnor Botanic Garden and in particular the catering contract.

CHAIRMAN