Archived decisions

Headings

Name:

Hampshire Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) Service (formerly Bilingual Learners Support Service).

Proposed improvements

The review recommended that the service:

· identify the `best service for pupils' with headteachers

· ask for increased funding

· improve data collection and analysis

· play a bigger role in monitoring ethnic minority achievement in county

· shift some of the responsibility for ethnic minority pupils from service to schools

· provide continued service for asylum seekers in schools

· develop website and more effective access for ethnic minority parents to education system

· develop literacy training with an ethnic minority perspective

· maintain home-school after-school network for ethnic minority pupils

The County Council agreed to the continuation of the service and approved the restructuring designed to develop `best service for pupils'. A variety of weightings were considered but the County Council approved equal funding for each of the three proposed strands-achievement, new arrivals and training. These strands were implemented in April 2001.

Councillors agreed that the service was under-funded and should apply for a growth budget. It was possible to obtain £20,000 from Standards Fund via Inclusion Branch for small promotions, travel and pay awards to implement the restructuring. Requests for growth budget were submitted in October 2001 and July 2002.

Progress in implementing the Improvement Plan

· `Best service for pupils' identified with headteachers and implemented from April 2001.

· Achievement projects 2001-2002; 90 schools were targeted, six language groups (Bengali, Cantonese, French, Portuguese, Turkish and Urdu), 80schools. 2002-2003 60 schools are targeted, seven ethnic minority groups (Bangladeshi, Black African, Chinese, Pakistani, White European-French, White European-Portuguese, White European -Turkish)

· Data collection and analysis should be improved with implementation of common pupil record from January 2003 which records achievement of ethnic minority pupils.

· Team leader started monitoring implementation of inclusion in relation to `race' equality - 8 schools in 2001-2002. Ten schools planned 2002-2003

· Asylum seekers who are in schools continue to be supported

· Cross-cultural counselling service has been maintained

· Website at www.hants.gov.uk/education/ema

· Schools received KS3 literacy training in 2001-2002. Classroom assistant training planned for 2002-2003.

· It has not been possible to cut down on travel and so reduce costs.

Future Plans

Most items on original action plan completed with just a few outstanding items remaining. Best Value Planning will be incorporated in existing service planning if service funded for 2003-2004 and onwards.

Contact for further information

Liz Statham, Team Leader on 01256-330195