Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the SCHOOLS MONITORING PANEL held at The Castle,
Winchester on Tuesday 22 June 2004.
PRESENT:
Councillors: R J Kimber (Chairman); M F Cartwright; B D Dash; Mrs P M Devereux;
Mrs E M F Randall; Mrs A M McNair Scott; J W Stocks; Dr J G L Wall; D F Wright.
Co-opted Members: Ms R Clarke
Also in attendance: Councillor D G Allen, Councillor F J Bright
117 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal
prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should,
normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the
circumstances described in paragraphs 9,10,11 and 12 of the County Council's
Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was
discussed.
On Item 9, Minute 125, Forest Education Centre, Councillor B D Dash declared a personal interest as a member of the Management Committee of this Centre.
On Item 11, Minute 127, Langdown Junior School, Councillor B D Dash declared a personal interest as a member of the Interim Executive Board of this School.
On Item 8, Minute 124, Managed School Improvement Projects, Councillor J W Stocks declared a personal interest as his wife was the Chair of Governors for Pinewood Infant School.
On Item 13, Minute 129, Oak Farm Community School, Councillor J W Stocks declared a personal interest as his grand-daughter, who was due to enter secondary education, lived within the catchment area for this School.
It was confirmed that none of these declarations amounted to a personal prejudicial interest and both Councillor J W Stocks and Councillor B D Dash remained in the meeting whilst these matters were discussed.
118 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3 February 2004 were confirmed as
a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
119 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
No Chairman's communications had been received.
120 DEPUTATIONS
No deputations had been received.
121 HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY STRATEGY
The Panel considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) outlining the application of the Primary National Strategy within the context of Hampshire. The County Education Officer advised that in a national report on leadership and management within schools, the leadership in Hampshire Schools was deemed to be of a higher standard than that of neighbouring or equivalent local authorities. The Panel expressed support for the policy of encouraging schools to invest in interactive white boards by providing initial funding and training programmes.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That the report be commended to Education Policy Review Committee.
122 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That, by virtue of paragraphs 1, 7, 11 and 13 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items.
123 SUPPORTING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN 2004/2005 (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining developments in the support of secondary schools in Key Stage 3 to improve pupil progress and attainment.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That the report be discussed by Education Policy Review Committee.
(iii) That a report be brought to this Panel in due course on the impact of network learning project.
124 MANAGED SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) concerning the approach developed to managing schools which have been struggling to improve standards in recent years. It was felt by the Panel that this project could help to prevent some schools from entering special measures by giving them opportunities to recover before their performance deteriorated. The County Education Officer emphasised that this support represented a partnership between the LEA and schools to improve standards.
The County Education Officer brought to the attention of the Panel that Appendix 3 should have included Testwood School because, despite having made reasonable progress, it was still enjoying an enhanced level of support from the LEA.
The County Education Officer assured the Panel that in cases where a school doid not appear to be progressing at a reasonable rate, the LEA had other methods designed to ensure that the school avoided entering special measures, such as the appointment of extra governors or the removal of the delegated budget.
RESOLVED:
That this report be noted and that further reports be received on progress made by each of the schools listed in the appendices.
125 THE FOREST EDUCATION CENTRE, DIBDEN PURLIEU - SPECIAL MEASURES (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. The County Education Officer emphasised the co-operation of the teaching staff in the successful attempt to improve the quality of teaching and learning at this school.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That further reports be received.
126 NETLEY MARSH C OF E INFANT SCHOOL - SPECIAL MEASURES (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. Councillor F J Bright was present as local member and welcomed the approach outlined in this report. The County Education Officer informed the Panel that Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) was to make a first monitoring visit on 23 and 24 June 2004. He emphasised the strong partnership between the LEA, Head and Chairman of Governors. He also highlighted the improved leadership at this school which he hoped would help to solve some staffing problems within the next six months.
The Panel expressed concerns appertaining to the management of the scheduled building project at this school. The County Education Officer assured the Panel that this project would be managed by the LEA and not by the Headteacher.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That further reports be received.
127 LANGDOWN JUNIOR SCHOOL, HYTHE - SPECIAL MEASURES (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. The County Education Officer outlined further events which had superseded this report. He explained that a more recent HMI visit had taken place with the resulting assessment that good progress had been made overall since the last visit and since the school entered special measures. A revised action plan had been received from the LEA and was deemed as of good quality by the HMI. The County Education Officer also explained that arrangements are underway to further improve conditions at the school and to resolve some staffing issues.
Due to the fact that this school was to be amalgamated with Langdown Infant School to form a Primary School, the Panel were concerned about its future status in terms of special measures. The County Education Officer informed the Panel that the LEA expected improvements in the performance of this school whether or not it remained in special measures after the amalgamation and would be monitoring it closely to ensure that such improvements were made.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That Mr Andy Heyes be thanked for his work as acting head over the last two terms.
(iii) That a further report be received by the Panel at their meeting on 19 October 2004.
128 JOHN HUNT OF EVEREST COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE
(CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. In addition to those developments in the report the County Education Officer outlined the full report of the HMI which had then been received. He explained that HMI concluded that there had been reasonable overall progress at this school, leadership of this school is strong, however there were some long term staffing issues.
The Panel commented that the scheduled building project at this school may help to solve some staffing issues in the future.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That further reports be received.
129 OAK FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL, COVE, FARNBOROUGH - SPECIAL MEASURES (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. The County Education Officer explained that despite some staffing concerns the school expected significant improvement in pupils' grades within the academic year. He further commented that the high levels of LEA support would need to continue once the new Leadership Management Team had been appointed.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That further reports be received.
130 PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALDERSHOT - SPECIAL MEASURES (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. Since the report was written a further visit had made by HMI and the County Education Officer outlined the conclusions of the resulting report: that the school had made reasonable progress since the previous visit in February 2004 and limited progress since entering special measures. The main areas of concern were quality of teaching and learning in Key Stage 2. This problem had been exacerbated by recruitment issues in Key Stage 2.
The County Education Officer explained that leadership in the school had improved since entering special measures and action was being taken to recruit a permanent experienced Headteacher to ensure continued improvement in this area.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That further reports be received.
131 HAWTHORNS SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE - SPECIAL MEASURES (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. A further HMI report had been received and would be circulated.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That further reports be received.
132 STAUNTON PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL,
(CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. The County Education Officer commented that they expect pupil achievement in this school to improve considerably within the academic year.
RESOLVED:
(i) That this school continue to be kept under close scrutiny and that the current level of support be continued.
(ii) That this Panel continue to receive reports until such time as the standards at the school improve to an acceptable level.
133 BRIDGEMARY COMMUNITY SCHOOL, GOSPORT (CONFIDENTIAL)
The Panel considered a confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 17 in the Minute Book) providing an update on developments at this school. The Panel and the County Education Officer expressed satisfaction that HMI had kept in mind the socio-economic status of the catchment area whilst analysing the school's progress. The Panel expressed its satisfaction that the school was at that time applying for Specialist Sports College status with full support from the LEA. The County Education Officer commented that he felt that this school had enormous capacity to improve despite its weaknesses.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Headteacher and LEA Officers should be congratulated for leading the team of staff, governors and pupils to this position of success.
(ii) That no further reports are made on this school.
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