REPORT FROM THE DEPUTY LEADER AND THE CABINET MEMBER FOR EDUCATION, SKILLS AND LEARNING

TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL - 21 MARCH 2007

1. Education Show at Birmingham NEC

Marguerite Howick, Simon Dear and team will be at the above exhibition this week.

We have an Island stand and intend to promote the Island. We will be showing a film

made by ITV which includes the achievements of Downside School.

Our extended schools are recognised as National leaders.

I wish the team every success.

2. Consultations on proposed school changes

The consultations are ongoing we will continue to meet groups as requested up to the

final date.

3. Family Learning

On Thursday last week the Arts Unit Learning Team attended the first SE Region

Carnival Conference in Reading. They took a large display highlighting the exciting

carnival learning on the Islands including vibrant posters and headdresses, portfolios of

learners work and copies of Carnival Island. Two large costumes were also displayed

one produced on the NCFE level 3 course and one piece commissioned for last years

Arts Festival parade. Chris and his team facilitated two workshops during the day.

During the evening 8 carnival learners from the Island performed a stunning costumed

Dance.

The National Family Learning Network Conference was held at the QE11 conference

Centre London last week, Sahara Teague, Family Learning manager led a forum entitled

“The Will to Live”. about our successful partnership working especial with extended

Schools and communities. The IOW family Learning Service was also cited in one of

the National presentations as best practice in the field of impact measures around

children’s and adults on family literacy, language, and numeracy programmes. Well

done the team

4. Mr Beynon appointment.

Congratulations to Mr Beynon being appointed to the ministerial 14 – 19 Reform Group, and also being appointed as advising the Dfes on the Local Authority Green Paper on raising the participation age.

5. Meeting with the Minister

Yesterday Cll Sutton, Cll Gardiner, Mr Duckworth Mr Beynon and I visited

Mr Knight MP schools minister. He wanted to know what our present proposals with

regard to school changes may achieve. He made the point that the Dfes would not

impose any view but would provide staff and resources to assist and advise us. He

also made it clear that status quo on the Island was not acceptable. A further meeting

will take place with DfES officials this Friday.

Cllr Patrick Joyce

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Learning