Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE

1. The Education Policy Review Committee has met on six occasions and has continued to adopt a practical approach to its three main roles: policy development, scrutiny and best value.

2. The Committee has considered in detail, and advised the Executive Member for Education on, the following key areas of policy development:

    · School Reorganisations Policy and Practice
    (endorsed by Cabinet)

    · Valuing school governors' role and recognising their contribution to schools
    (several PRC suggestions adopted)

    · Arrangements for implementation of the proposed six-term school year and school term/holiday dates 2004/05
    (endorsed by Cabinet)

    · Budget review: schools and education business units

    · Revenue budget 2003/04

    · Capital programme 2003/04 to 2006/07

    · Determination of relevant areas for consultation on admissions arrangements

    · Reconstitution of Hampshire Admission Forum

    · Progress against the Ofsted LEA action plan

    · Determination of school admission arrangements 2004/05

    · Developers' contributions towards education facilities

    · Behaviour Support Plan

    · Revision to scheme of financial management for schools and formula funding changes

    · Adult Learning Plan: August 2003 to July 2004
    (approved by County Council in July 2003)

    · LEA accessibility strategy

    · DfES consultation paper "Building Schools for the Future"
    (representations include PRC suggestions)

    · School Organisation Plan 2003/04 - 2007/08

    · Final Accounts 2002/03

    · Arrangements for building a replacement for John Hunt of Everest School at North Popley, Basingstoke

    · Primary education in the Buckskin area of Basingstoke: Worting Infant and Junior Schools

    · Lankhills (Osborne) School, Winchester: Closure of off-site class at Toynbee School

    · Proposed closure of sixth form at Horndean Technology College

    · Relocation and enlargement of Sundridge School for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties and replacement of Woodlands Education Centre

    The Executive Member for Education welcomed the advice given by the Education Policy Review Committee and approved the proposals on the basis recommended.

3. With regard to scrutiny, the Committee has examined issues such as external examination and assessment results and the differential performance of boys and girls; pupils' attitudes to school; the incidence of permanent exclusions from school and the development of behaviour support teams; partnership with Social Services on services for children and parents; the outdoor education service; racial incidents in schools; and a recycling service for schools which aims to minimise waste. The Committee has also devoted a great deal of time and attention to scrutinising the options in cases where school reorganisations are proposed, with particular reference to the proposals at Buckskin, Basingstoke; Lankhills (Osborne); and Horndean identified in paragraph 2 above. The Committee also received deputations from interested parties in each of these three cases.

4. With regard to best value, the Committee has approved the options report and action plan arising from the review of the Education Welfare Service. They have also approved the project brief for the review of Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) Services. In addition, they have continued to monitor progress made pursuant to the best value reviews carried out in Years 1 and 2.

5. The Committee's programme for the future is likely to include many significant issues, including the strategy for primary and secondary schools; development of the school workforce; school funding arrangements and balances; the level of exclusions and the financial consequences of them; new schemes for co-ordinating primary and secondary school admissions with effect from September 2005; evaluation of the Education Development Plan 2; and the outcome of the current review of primary and special schools in the eastern New Forest Area. The Committee will also consider and advise on school reorganisations in areas where pupil numbers and surplus school places so require.


M.J. Kendal
Chairman

8FR52703