Agenda item

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Report for the second quarter of 2015/16 (July to September) relating to Children, Young People and Learning, giving particular attention to outcomes of Ofsted school inspections, achievement progress through the Key Stages with reference to the related Strategy and headteacher recruitment..

Please bring the previously circulated Quarterly Service Report to the meeting.  Copies are available on request and attached to this agenda if viewed online.

Panel members are asked to give advance notice to the Overview and Scrutiny Team of any questions relating to the QSR where possible.

The Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the second first quarter of 2015/16 (July to September 2015) relating to Children, Young People and Learning.

The Director of Children, Young People and Learning presented a number of headlines from quarter three from which the Panel noted:

·                The domestic abuse consultation concluded in November 2015 and a report was scheduled to go to the Executive in February 2016.

·                Applications and processing for the new school providers had demonstrated a strong field for both Binfield Learning Village and Amen Corner.

·                The Duke of Edinburgh Awards ceremony hosted by Sandhurst School saw 144 Bronze, 22 Silver and 11 Gold certificates awarded.

·                The outstanding grade for Larchwood, a short break unit providing respite care for children and young people with learning disabilities and difficulties, was confirmed by Ofsted.  Improved effectiveness since the last inspection was recorded.

·                The focus on child sexual exploitation (CSE) and missing children continued with briefings to 150 community representatives and the production of an information guide.  The successful Nine Signs campaign was extended to focus on internet safety.

·                Six more schools achieved a rating of 'Good' in their Ofsted inspection in 2015, including Kennel Lane School which achieved Good with Outstanding features.

The Director advised that Ofsted were introducing two new Inspection Frameworks in 2016, namely, Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) and Special Educational Needs and Disability Inspection.  The JTAI would focus on CSE and missing children.  The Working Group of the Panel reviewing CSE was thanked for its work.  The Single Inspection Framework Ofsted Inspection was expected in 2016 and a Safeguarding Practice Diagnostic would take place from 19-21 January 2016.

The Panel received school Ofsted inspection outcomes from reports published to the end of December 2015 and the following points arose from related questions and discussion:

·                Whilst Bracknell Forest schools were generally performing well in national comparisons, the performance of one school which had previously improved from an unsatisfactory position had slipped to the requiring improvement grading.  Although performance was the responsibility of the governing body, the Council supported schools to improve through measures such as advice, training and capacity building.

·                A Member explained the difficulties faced by governing bodies and expressed the view that governors were trained, strived to improve schools and were aware of their responsibilities.

·                There was a new data system and all schools were now providing performance data although this was complicated by changes to Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) grading and a consistent data transfer method was sought.

·                Robust risk management was undertaken and targeted support offered to schools prior to Ofsted inspections to maintain school standards.

·                The Ofsted monitoring visit to Jennett’s Park School had a favourable outcome and it was hoped that the school would progress to a higher grade in future.

The Panel was provided with an attainment data pack consisting of school summaries covering Key Stage (KS) 1 and 2 at Levels 4+ and 5+; value added scores; phonics; progress measures value added; expected progress in reading, writing and mathematics; closing the gaps at KS 1 and 2; and a local authority summary addressing its context, primary phase, secondary phase and destinations of KS 4 and 5 students.  Following an explanation of the data and subsequent questions, the Panel noted the following points:

·                17 of the 28 primary / junior schools in Bracknell Forest were at or above the national attainment level at Level 4+ at the end of KS 2.  Progress measures had brought some schools above the ‘floor’ minimum level, however, Harmans Water Primary School remained below the floor.  Although Cranbourne Primary School’s levels had declined owing to a change in its cohort, it remained above the national attainment level.  A number of schools were also at or above the national attainment level at Level 5+ at the end of KS 2.

·                In the case of Harmans Water Primary School, intensive measures had already been taken and Ofsted was satisfied with the rate of improvement.  A new headteacher had been appointed to the school and was expected to escalate its improvement.

·                In terms of value added scores, Great Hollands Primary School was in the top quartile nationally.

·                The percentage of pupils achieving the expected progress in reading, writing and mathematics from KS 1 to 2 was good.

·                Although progress had been made in narrowing the gap between disadvantaged pupils and others in attainment in reading, writing and mathematics at KS2 since 2013, the gap in attainment in KS 1 phonics had increased between 2013 and 2015.  It was felt that narrowing the gap and gifted pupils were priority areas for further work.

The Panel found the data very useful and welcomed receiving it on an annual basis.  Members were invited to submit any further questions after the meeting.

A graph indicating the number of Looked After Children, children with Child Protection Plans and Children in Need on a quarterly basis since March 2014 was circulated.  When children were determined to no longer be in need of Child Protection Plans they were re-designated to the lower risk status of Children in Need and monitored on a monthly basis.

The Director gave an update in respect of headteacher recruitment advising that only one vacancy currently remained, at Winkfield St Mary CoE Primary School.