16.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 August 2004 were confirmed subject to the
inclusion of Mr P D Joyce in the list of those giving apologies.
17.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no interests declared at this stage.
18.
FORWARD
PLAN
The Select Committee was advised that the Executive would be considering
a report on School Organisation on 6 October 2004. This would take into account
the comments arising for the Select Committee’s consultation exercise.
19.
QUARTERLY
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – QUARTER 1 2004-05
The Select Committee received details relating to levels of
performance for activities undertaken within Children’s Services for the period
1 April to 30 June 2004. Members were
also advised of risk assessments for some areas to watch.
In improving the educational performance of looked after children
the Select Committee discussed the work being undertaken by the Recruitment and
Retention Task Group on Children’s Services.
The Task Group had at its last meeting considered the results of exit surveys
of staff leaving the service. This
appeared to highlight problem areas that needed to be resolved.
In respect of Social Inclusion and Diversity clarification was
sought on the number of staff that had undergone the recent training.
The Portfolio Holder referred to the raising of educational
standards being made a priority Improvement Area within the Council’s Annual
Action Statement for 2004/05. There was
a need for elected members to have a better understanding of the issues
involved. The need to also work in
partnership with School Governing Bodies and provide a challenge to attainment
levels was identified.
The Select Committee indicated that consideration should be given
to considering the indicators for Educational Performance of Looked After
Children and GCSE performance of Looked After Children as these appeared to be
inter related. Additionally the figures
for the Local Public Service Agreement Targets relating to the education and
employment outcome of care leavers aged 19 years needed to be made clearer so
that those could be monitored more effectively.
Some concern was expressed that the number of Looked After
Children placed on the mainland was above the target for the quarter. To assist members obtain a better
perspective on the Council’s performance it was necessary to have comparative
data from other authorities.
The Select Committee noted that the absence from secondary schools
was slightly higher than the target for the quarter. This was mainly due to
family holidays being taken in term time.
It was believed that the introduction of a 6 term year may have lead to
a reduction in absence. The recently
introduced Government initiative whereby fixed penalty charges could be issued
to parents whose children are absent from school may make a slight difference
in the future. The Select Committee was
made aware of the link between attendance levels and school attainment. It was noted that the regular half or whole
day absence had more impact on pupil performance than a one or two week absence
for a family holiday.
In considering the revenue expenditure budget monitor for the
period up to the end of June 2004 it was highlighted that the figures did not
add up correctly.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT :
The report and minutes of the Recruitment and Retention Task Group
regarding details of exit interviews of Childcare Social Workers be made
available to the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES
AND THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES
(a)
The number
of staff within the Children’s Services Directorate that have attended the
Diversity Training be circulated.
(b)
Members be
advised of the number of young people with challenging behaviour specifically
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
(c)
Comparisons
be made with other relevant authorities on the number of looked after foster
care children placed outside the authorities area.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND
COMMUNICATIONS :
The details relating to Areas of Educational Performance of Looked
After Children and GCSE Performance of Looked After Children be linked.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND
COMMUNICATIONS, CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER AND SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT :
Revised revenue expenditure figures for the end of June 2004 be
sent out to all members.
20.
EVALUATION
OF SCHOOL CLUSTERS
The Select Committee had indicated, at its Awayday in May 2004,
its wish to undertake an evaluation of the development and operation of school
clusters, and any initial impact some of the projects could have on raising
pupil achievement.
The Portfolio Holder indicated that the initiative commenced in
September 2003. There were 5 cluster
groups, Carisbrooke, Cowes, Medina, Ryde and Sandown. The overall funding of Ł500,000 for cluster working was from the
LEA block.
Each cluster had to bid against set criteria which aligned to
priorities within the Education Development Plan.
The Select Committee was made aware of the projects being
undertaken within each cluster. To
assist in its discussions a representative from 3 of the clusters had been
invited. The Chairman welcomed Jackie
Tinsley from the Carisbrooke Cluster, Vanessa Hicks from the Ryde Cluster and
Colin Parker from the Cowes Cluster.
Jackie Tinsley outlined the cluster project relating to assisting
pupils achieving basic numeracy and literacy skills at Key Stage 1. This currently involved 9 of the 12 Primary
Schools within the cluster. The project
assisted in raising the confidence levels of pupils and it was not always
possible to measure the success rate.
The need for parents to help children at home was emphasised.
Vanessa Hicks reported on raising standards and involvement for
gifted and talented pupils within the Ryde cluster. An assessment had been undertaken on current provision for such
pupils and an action plan compiled on the key issues that needed addressing. This involved ensuring that each school in
the cluster had a named co-ordinator and there was an established
identification strategy. Pupils
identified would be able to access special workshops and enrichment days and
these were not necessarily academic based but covered areas such as arts,
creative writing and music.
Colin Parker then outlined a project undertaken by the Cowes
Cluster in relation to Inclusion and Family Support. This was aimed at underachievers and particularly those pupils
with attendance, social and behavioural problems. The project enabled a focus to be family rather than pupil
orientated. Schools within the cluster
used a pro forma to submit referrals to a special team of 1 qualified teacher
and 2 assistants.
The Select Committee noted that wherever possible the knowledge gained
through cluster projects was shared.
Many projects would not have been achieved without the specific funding
made available by the LEA. Members were
advised that reporting mechanisms were encouraged to enable all schools and
governing bodies to be kept informed.
Some concern was expressed by members that two of the five
clusters appeared to dominated by the High School which took the lead on all
projects. The relevant clusters were
already aware of this but it was noted that it was a matter for each cluster
and some establishments had the resources or skills already in place to deal
with projects.
The cluster representatives highlighted the difficulties in
rolling out best practice to all other schools without funding being made
available.
As clusters had only been in operation since September 2003 and it
was too early to evidence of improvements to school performance though early
indications were encouraging. The
cluster representatives stressed the need to continue funding levels for the
next 2 years. This would ensure that
projects could show positive benefits and provide firm evidence that the
additional funding had been effectively utilised.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES
AND THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES :
(a)
The cluster
initiative be continued for a 3rd year, subject to validating
performance, to assist in improved levels of attainment that the additional
funding was provided to achieve.
(b)
A reporting
procedure be established to ensure that all governors, schools and members are
fully informed of the progress and outcomes of each cluster group on a termly
basis.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR CHILDREN’S
SERVICES, STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT :
The LEA assist in the co-ordination and distribution of the
information about cluster working.
CHAIRMAN