Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcome everyone to the Meeting.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Abdul Patel, Salma Patel, and Ehsan Raja.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6^th November 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

No Declarations of Interest were received.

The Committee received a written update from the Youth Forum on their recent work and activities.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

The Committee considered a report and received a supporting presentation from Michelle Holt, Deputy Director for Education on the School Effectiveness Strategy 2023-26.

The Council had operated a school led school improvement system for over 10 years.  However, given the changing educational landscape and with the move to more schools becoming academies, the Council commissioned an independent review of the School Improvement Strategy.  This took place around 18 months ago, included key stakeholders and was conducted by Steve Munby (CBE and former CEO of Education Trust).  Following the review, there was a further period of consultation on the recommendations made.  The review findings and consultation feedback were shared at BWD’s Partnership Conference in March 2023.  In September 2023 the Council launched the co-produced revised School Effectiveness Strategy for 2023-2026.  

Five missions were contained in the Strategy, along with six public commitments, as well as agreed joint priorities that all schools across the Borough would collectively work on. Safeguarding was reflected across all priorities. School Improvement Groups (SIGs) would be working on the 6 key priorities over the next 3 years, with School Effectiveness Board (SEB) supporting the progress of the SIGs towards identified priorities.

The presentation gave detailed data on the performance of the Borough for Primary and Secondary age pupils in comparison to others in the North West, and nationally.

Members of the Committee asked a number of questions which are summarised below with the responses received:

·       ‘Buy-in’ – where are people not buying in and why? Strong relationships were in place with schools, and multi-academy trusts – there was collective buy in, with schools very open to feedback their views and suggestions. Academies had different structures and systems, but constructive relationships were in place. Performance was measurable via data and case studies.

·       Revised strategy – how do we know if things are slipping the net?

Attendance data was monitored, including from academies, and a partnership approach was taken, with constructive conversations and a challenge process in place.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

Michelle Holt presented two reports containing information on Education Data and the Speech, Language and Communication Initiative, along with a supporting presentation.

In 2023, tests and exams returned to being administered in accordance with pre-pandemic standards, along with the publication of data for the first time since 2019.  The aim of releasing data was to provide transparent and consistent information about what results were achieved at a school or college and to allow parents to see on a school-by-school or college-by-college basis how schools or colleges had performed.  The impact of Covid-19 made it more difficult to interpret the results, especially if just using the data alone. Accordingly, the DFE strongly discouraged people from drawing conclusions based on comparisons with performance data from earlier years and based on direct comparisons with other schools’ or colleges’ performance data. They also advised caution when comparing a school or college’s performance with national or local authority averages.

Information was provided on Early Years Foundation Data, Phonics data, and Key Stages data.

In terms of Speech, Language and Communication, an initiative was launched in September 2022 across the Borough, to improve these outcomes as this was considered to be the biggest barrier to securing strong children’s development and academic outcomes.  This was evidenced In 2022, when a school readiness data suggested that just 26% of the Borough’s children were ready for school.

The initiative included An Early Years Speech and Language Audit Tool – this was developed to support Quality First Teaching within schools and settings and a WellComm Toolkit: a Speech and Language screening toolkit provided universally to all Primary Schools and Early Years settings within the Borough.

The report highlighted the significant progress over 2022-23, in respect of improvements relating to improved outcomes for children with a low level of Speech, Language and Communication, English as an Additional Language, and in Children’s Centres.

Members of the Committee made comments and asked questions, which are summarised below with responses:

·       Transition from Primary to Secondary School, how is this managed to ensure performance does not drop off? This was a particular focus, with an improved package in place, particularly focussing on SEND and vulnerable groups, and there was a much smoother transition in September 2023, and officers were looking at extending the support available.

·       Initiatives to support disadvantaged areas – support included Family Hubs, Children’s Centres, and after school activities, with good practice being shared in relation to nutrition, transport and homework clubs, with Pupil Premium helping to support a targeted approach. The Household Support Fund (HSF) had also been very helpful, and helped initiatives such as cooking clubs and breakfast being provided, and officers in Public Health were looking at how such support could continued when the HSF funded ceased in March 2024.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

At this point of the meeting, the Chair noted that this was the last meeting of the Municipal Year for the Committee, and thanked all concerned, whilst also noting that she  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.