Item 2

AT A MEETING of the SCHOOLS MONITORING PANEL of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 1 February 2005.

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; Mrs E M F Randall; J W Stocks; J G L Wall; D F Wright.

Co-opted Members: Mr D Belfield; Ms R Clarke; Mr D Chapman; Mr P Gilliatt.

Also present: Cllrs. R. Baulk and Mrs. J.K. Frankum, local members for Minutes 159 and 161 respectively.

151 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 the 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.

Councillor B D Dash declared a personal interest as a member of the management board for Forest Education Centre (Minute 163); and as a former member of the Interim Executive Board of Langdown Junior School (Minute 166).

Ms R Clarke declared a personal interest as Headteacher of Balksbury Junior School, the subject of one of the Managed School Improvement Projects referred to in Minute 158.

Mr D Chapman declared a personal interest as a Governor at Cove Secondary School, the subject of one of the Managed School Improvement Projects referred to in Minute 158.

They were advised that these did not amount to personal prejudicial interests and the Members concerned remained in the meeting during consideration of these items.

152 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 19 October 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. On Minute 142, the Chief Executive reported that figures on attendance at and exclusions from Staunton Park Community School, Havant had been duly circulated to Members by email and hard copies were available.

153 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed Mr David Chapman to his first meeting of the Panel since his election as one of the parent governor representatives serving on the Education Policy Review Committee. His role was to represent primary school governors. The Chairman expressed appreciation to all Members and officers for their support in the Panel's work. Members expressed the view that they saw a vital continuing role for the Schools Monitoring Panel in any revised structure which might be adopted, since they felt a proactive role for Members in supporting school improvement was an essential function of the County Council as Local Education Authority.

154 SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS - EVALUATION OF WORK UNDERTAKEN IN 2002/03

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) describing outcomes from the fifth year of support for departments in secondary schools carried out by subject inspectors/advisers as part of the Education Development Plan. In those schools supported there was evidence of measurable improvement as a result; and in addition it was rare for schools to decline such support. Members therefore welcomed the approach set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and thanks be offered to County Subject Inspectors/Advisers.

155 AN EVALUATION OF THE WORK OF ATTACHED INSPECTORS

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) evaluating the impact of the work of attached inspectors and other HIAS staff in schools paid for from County Council central funds during the 2003/04 financial year. Feedback from Headteachers indicated that most welcomed the opportunity to discuss ideas for school improvement with inspectors as fellow professionals since the approach provided both challenge and support. Reference was made by Members to the need to maintain a dialogue between inspectors/School Improvement Managers and effective schools, to ensure that they had the stimulus towards further improvement even though there was only limited contact with inspectors. In response to questions the County Education Officer indicated that there was other informal contact and monitoring of data which enabled the Local Education Authority to intervene positively and at an early stage where difficulties were identified. He went on to explain the proposed new regime of inspector time allocation to schools, which would envisage two days rather than one for effective schools, five days for the majority of schools and six days for those schools needing substantial improvement.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted and that gratitude be expressed to the Headteachers who had contributed to the evaluation.


(ii) That HIAS continue to make the improvements set out in the report.

156 PUPIL ATTITUDE SURVEY 2004

The Panel considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the results of the pupils' attitude survey carried out with over 33,280 pupils in primary and secondary schools. The year groups identified were 2, 6, 7 and 9. Members were encouraged by the positive responses and large numbers participating this year and considered that the survey represented a valuable source of information which would inform schools' self-evaluation. Several Members drew attention to the differing rate of availability of computers/internet access at home, which was relatively low for 7 year olds but increased rapidly for the older age groups. There was no doubt that the trend towards computer/internet access at home was accelerating and would continue to do so. Members expressed the view that schools should encourage equality of access to computer facilities for all pupils, regardless of whether they have them at home or not.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

157 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 158-167 below.

158 MANAGED SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the new approach to improving those schools not in special measures but which required some additional support.

Members welcomed the proactive and preventative approach set out in the report, which would help schools overcome difficulties and avoid the prospect of being placed in serious weaknesses or special measures. They saw this as an essential role for the County Council as Local Education Authority and suggested that the local County Councillors for each of the schools named in the report should be made aware of the situation. In addition, Members considered that targeted work in primary schools would help forestall problems at secondary level.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted and that further reports be received on the progress made by each of the 42 schools listed in the appendix.


(ii) That the Panel strongly support the approach to school improvement for the financial year 2005/06 as set out in the report.

159 OAK FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL, FARNBOROUGH

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. Councillor R Baulk attended for this item and spoke of the essential role played by this school both as an educational and community focus for an area of considerable deprivation. Members recognised that progress was urgently required in the areas of leadership, management and improved standards, and to that end a meeting was due to be held with the school on 2 February which would seek to deploy suitable targeted support which would help increase effectiveness in all the areas identified. They recognised that resolute management action would continue to be required as a means to achieving sustained progress and improvement, and hoped that the school would respond favourably to the support offered.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted and that further reports be received by the Panel.


(ii) That a note on action following the meeting with the school on 2 February be circulated to Panel members once the way forward in supporting improvement in educational standards, leadership and management has become clear.

160 PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALDERSHOT

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. Members were pleased to see that good progress was being made and welcomed the impact made by the new Headteacher. They noted that a further visit by HMI was due on 21/22 February.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that further reports be received by the Panel.

161 JOHN HUNT OF EVEREST COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. A further visit by HMI was awaited, and this would determine the school's progress in responding to its being placed in serious weaknesses. Councillor Mrs J K Frankum attended the meeting as local Member and spoke of the impact made by the new Headteacher; she welcomed the progress made by the school and the investment in its relocation being made by the County Council.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that further reports be received by the Panel.

162 NETLEY MARSH CE INFANT SCHOOL

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) together with a copy of the most recent HMI report (Item 13x in the Minute Book). The County Education Officer reported that, as a result of the most recent HMI visit, the school had been removed from special measures. Members paid tribute to the remarkable achievement by the new Headteacher, her staff and the wider education community in securing such rapid improvements.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted and further reports received by the Panel.


(ii) That the Headteacher and staff of the school, together with the wider education community, be congratulated on their achievement in securing the school's prompt removal from special measures.

163 THE FOREST EDUCATION CENTRE, DIBDEN PURLIEU

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book). It was reported that there had been a further visit by HMI on 12/13 January and as a result the Centre had been removed from special measures.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted and that a further report on progress at the Centre be received by the Panel in June 2005.


(ii) That the head of the Centre and her staff be congratulated on their achievement in securing removal from special measures.

164 ST SWITHUN WELLS RC PRIMARY SCHOOL, CHANDLERS FORD

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with this school. It was reported that the school had been recognised as effective, so the sudden emergence of serious staffing, management and financial problems had come as a surprise. However a new Headteacher was in post and was working to overcome the budget deficit, with support from the Local Education Authority and the Roman Catholic Diocese.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that a further report be submitted to the Panel in October 2005.

165 TESTWOOD SCHOOL, TOTTON

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) on progress by this school. It was recognised that the school was making progress in resolving outstanding issues and a range of activities was underway, but they would need support and guidance in focusing effort and resources on the most important areas - academic standards, leadership and governance. To that end the newly appointed Headteacher would receive mentoring support from an experienced Headteacher and there would be continuing Local Education Authority support.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that a further report be submitted to the meeting of the Panel in June 2005.

166 LANGDOWN JUNIOR SCHOOL/WATERSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL, HYTHE

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 17 in the Minute Book) detailing progress made by this school. The most recent HMI report was circulated (Item 17x in the Minute Book). Members were delighted to learn that the school had been removed from special measures, which would enable the new management to concentrate on the further improvement of standards at the amalgamated primary school. Reference was made to the imaginative way in which the Headteacher had deployed staff and overcome recruitment problems.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted and that a further report on the progress of Waterside Primary School be received by the Panel at its meeting in October 2005.


(ii) That the Headteacher and staff at Langdown/Waterside Schools be congratulated on their achievements in securing removal from special measures.

167 MERDON JUNIOR SCHOOL, CHANDLERS FORD

The Panel considered the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 18 in the Minute Book) on progress made by this school, which had been identified as under-achieving by OFSTED. The Headteacher had returned and was concentrating on his role of leadership and improving standards. Another visit by HMI was awaited.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that a further report be submitted to the Panel following re-inspection of the school by HMI.

8pM160205