Archived decisions
Item 2
AT A MEETING of the SCHOOLS MONITORING PANEL of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 19 October 2004.
PRESENT:
Councillors: R J Kimber (Chairman); Mrs. E.M. Byrom; M F Cartwright; B.D. Dash; Mrs. P.M. Devereux; Mrs A M McNair Scott; Dr J G L Wall; D F Wright.
Co-opted Members: Mr. D. Belfield; Mr. P. Gilliatt
134 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.
No such interests were declared by Members on this occasion.
135 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 22 June 2004 were confirmed as
a correct record, subject to the following:
Minute 126 - Netley Marsh CE Infant School - to be amended to refer to the strong partnership between the LEA, Head and Chairman of Governors; and the last sentence in the first paragraph to be deleted.
Minute 133 - Bridgemary Community School, Gosport - penultimate line, delete the word "funding" and replace it with the word "support".
136 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
None on this occasion.
137 DEPUTATIONS
None had been notified.
138 REVISED ARRANGEMENTS FOR CATEGORISATION OF SCHOOLS
The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) outlining proposed changes to the arrangements for categorisation of schools to be introduced this Autumn. During discussion Members drew attention to the following:
· need for robust self-evaluation by schools
· the developing role of the School Improvement Partner
· the importance of effective monitoring for behaviour and attendance
· the willingness to operate the new short-notice inspections in Hampshire Schools on a trial basis and to make every effort to achieve positive outcomes for schools from this change to the system
· the growing emphasis on quality and links to the local community.
It was noted that the detailed document "Supporting High Standards in Hampshire Schools" was currently the subject of consultation with schools and other partners.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted and the revised arrangements for school categorisation be endorsed.
(ii) That a report on the outcomes of categorisation in 2004/05 be received by the Panel in Spring 2005.
139 REPORT OF EVALUATION OF THE SOLD SERVICES OF HIAS
The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the results of the latest evaluation.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and that further work be undertaken to assess the impact of the work of HIAS on standards of achievement and the quality of education in schools.
140 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 items referred to in Minutes 141-150 below.
141 LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENTS - 2004 PUPIL ATTAINMENT
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) summarising the provisional 2004 outcomes for those Local Public Service Agreements that are linked to the attainment of pupils countywide and in designated areas of Hampshire. The missing figure at the base of the table in paragraph 3.1 was inserted to read 85%. Although Members were disappointed that the targets at Key Stage 3 and at GCSE had not been achieved, they accepted that these had been ambitious and a shortfall in attainment was therefore understandable. Although there were concerns that the schools in the identified area, Gosport, had fallen short in GCSE attainment, there was evidence of improvement and progress which was likely to be reflected in better results next year. The most encouraging feature was the fact that action taken in the 12 worst performing schools had resulted in their achievements improving twice as fast as the LEA average which showed how effective targeted support could be.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted and that particular attention be drawn to the achievement of individual schools within areas of relative social deprivation.
(ii) That a full report on the LPSA targets be taken to the Education Policy Review Committee when the provisional performance data have been confirmed.
142 STAUNTON PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL, HAVANT
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. Members were delighted to see the rapid improvement in GCSE results in 2004, which built upon the steadily rising trend of previous years. The school had dealt effectively with staffing and behaviour issues, and had developed its role as a focus for the local community. Members asked for detailed figures on attendance.
Members welcomed the achievements of both Staunton Park Community School and Park Community School and the improvements they had made over the past few years, with resultant impact on the quality of life in the Leigh Park area. It was hoped that this progress would continue through the establishment of the Hampshire Excellence Cluster.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the Staunton Park Community School continues to be kept under close scrutiny by the Standards Improvement Team in South East Hampshire and that the current level of support to the school continues.
(ii) That, as standards at the school have now risen to an acceptable level, further reports will be made to the Panel through the mechanism of the collated report on SIM managed schools.
(iii) That all who have been responsible for this improvement in standards be congratulated.
143 LANGDOWN JUNIOR SCHOOL, HYTHE
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. In general there was good progress towards meeting the key points for action and a remarkable improvement in test results. A third HMI visit was expected on 10/11 November. It was reported that effective transitional arrangements have been made for the Headteacher of Langdown Infant School to become Acting Headteacher of the junior school, prior to his becoming Headteacher of the amalgamated primary school in the New Year. Several Members of the Interim Executive Board were being invited to join the governing body for the new primary school, which was a tribute to the impact the Board had made. Action was in hand to resolve satisfactorily the long-term staffing difficulties.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted and that further reports be received by the Panel following the next HMI visit.
(ii) That a letter of thanks be sent to the Members of the Interim Executive Board for their work in improving governance of the school.
144 NETLEY MARSH CE INFANT SCHOOL
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. There had been a further HMI visit on 6/7 October, the formal outcome of which was awaited, but there remained good progress on all key issues for action. Another HMI visit was expected in early 2005. Reference was made to the positive impact of the newly appointed Headteacher.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted and that further reports be received by the Panel following the next HMI visit.
(ii) That letters of thanks be sent to the three Headteachers who have been seconded to the school.
145 THE FOREST EDUCATION CENTRE, DIBDEN
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this centre. A report of HMI's visit on 27/28 September has been received; copies were circulated and a copy is set out as Item 12(x) in the Minute Book. In general good progress was being made on all key issues for action and particular reference was made to the leadership provided by the Centre Manager and the effective support provided by LEA Officers.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and that further reports be received on progress made by the Centre.
146 MERDON JUNIOR SCHOOL, CHANDLERS FORD
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. The Panel noted that the issue here was under-performance; the Headteacher had now returned, a robust action plan was being implemented and the school was making progress. Members hoped that a return visit of HMI would identify substantial improvements.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and that a further report be received at the Panel's next meeting.
147 PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALDERSHOT
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. It was reported that a further HMI visit was expected later in the term. There was evidence of improvement and a greater sense of stability, now that the Acting Headteacher (previously the deputy) had been appointed Headteacher. However, there were still staffing problems, notably the absence of a Deputy Headteacher.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and that further reports on this school be received.
148 BASINGSTOKE SCHOOL PLUS (FORMERLY HAWTHORNS SCHOOL, SPECIAL MEASURES AND THE ASHWOOD EDUCATION CENTRE, BASINGSTOKE)
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this Centre. Particular attention was drawn to the proactive and preventative nature of work being done by the Centre, in cooperation with Headteachers of local secondary schools, in an effort to avoid exclusions. The Centre represented a pilot project, currently serving 110 pupils, but it was hoped that success with its new approach would result in a significant reduction in numbers attending.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
149 OAK FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL, FARNBOROUGH
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. There was evidence of considerable improvement in GCSE results, and another HMI visit was expected imminently. However, the school still faced serious staffing problems which would need to be addressed resolutely by the Headteacher and his management team. There was also a serious problem represented by 37% surplus places and a declining trend in pupil numbers in the area.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and that further reports on the school's progress be received.
150 JOHN HUNT OF EVEREST COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE
The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 17 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. There was some evidence of progress and improvement in standards, but the school still had some way to go and intensive LEA support would continue to be needed.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and that further reports on the school's progress be received.
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