Item 2

AT A MEETING of the SCHOOLS MONITORING PANEL of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 21 June 2005.

PRESENT:

Councillors: R J Kimber (Chairman); Mrs E M Byrom; B D Dash; K Gill; Mrs A M McNair Scott.

Co-opted Members: Mr D Chapman; Ms P Clarke; Mr D Walker.

Also present: Councillor D A Kirk (Executive Member for Education).

1 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.

2 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 1 February 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising:

(a) Managed School Improvement Projects (Minute 158)

The County Education Officer confirmed that local Members were consulted as a matter of course regarding concerns over their local schools.

3 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman highlighted the changes in the Panel in the new Council and emphasised the importance of the work that he hoped the Panel would continue to do. He expressed his thanks to ex-Members of the Panel, Councillor Mrs Devereux, former Councillor Mrs Randall, former Councillor Stocks, former Councillor Wall and Councillor Wright for their contributions in recent years.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Gill, Ms Penny Clarke and Mr D Walker to their first meeting as new Members of the Panel. The Chairman also welcomed Councillor Kirk as Executive Member for Education.

4 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were received.

5 REPORT OF EVALUATION OF THE SOLD SERVICES OF HIAS

The Panel received and noted the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) describing the outcomes from the third county-wide survey to evaluate the services which are sold to schools by HIAS under the service level agreement. He highlighted that: schools were asked directly about the individual inspectors with whom they had worked; those asked felt that the work of inspectors had had a positive impact on their school; there was a difficulty in displaying a causal link between the work of an inspector and the improvements in a school; and there had been an encouragingly high response rate to the survey.

The Panel expressed concerns that, while the work of inspectors appeared to be highly valuable, it would be less affordable for smaller schools. The County Education Officer explained that: HIAS was a non-profit making organisation and its prices were set accordingly; inspectors were recruited from a high level from schools; and as a business unit of the County Council HIAS was not able to be competitive in a free market. It was felt that further work might need to be done to ensure that smaller schools would be able to afford the services of HIAS, but it was also observed that schools continue to renew the service agreement, indicating that they are satisfied with the service.

RESOLVED:

The further work be undertaken to assess the impact of the work of HIAS on standards of achievements and the quality of education in schools.

6 CATEGORISATION OF SCHOOLS

The Panel received and noted the report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the outcomes of the process of Categorisation of Schools carried out by attached inspector/advisers during 2004/05. He explained that attached inspectors work with school leadership teams to complete the process of self-evaluation. He further commented that this process had become easier to complete as a result of improved working practices and relations with schools. He assured Members that a robust approach would be taken with those schools judged by the County Council to be unsatisfactory, with a particular focus on the four schools which have remained in the unsatisfactory category for more than two years.

Members were reminded that, as a result of the Children Act, there would no longer be attached inspectors in school, but instead there would be School Improvement Partners. These would work in a different way and, as a result, there might be an impact on future self-evaluation processes. The Children Act would also provide for closer working relationships with partner teams and the County Education Officer emphasised that this would be an opportunity to develop better community environments in which to encourage learning and achievement. Members expressed concerns that those initiatives which were having a positive should not be lost in the new structure.

7 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of paragraphs 1, 7 and 11 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting during consideration of the following items.

8 CATEGORISATION OF SCHOOLS

The Panel considered the confidential appendix (Item 8 in the Minute Book) to the item on Categorisation of Schools.

9 PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALDERSHOT

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. The Panel were updated regarding progress with this school as a result of a further visit by Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) on 6 and 7 June 2005. The Panel were pleased to hear that, although HMI's report had not yet been received, feedback had been given to the effect that HMI had judged that the school no longer required special measures. The County Education Officer attributed this to the hard work of the leadership team and the School Improvement Manager. The Panel were advised that a full report on the latest visit of HMI would be made at the next meeting.

10 OAK FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL, FARNBOROUGH

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. The Panel were updated regarding progress with this school as a result of a further visit by HMI in early June. Although HMI's report had not yet been received, Members were pleased to hear that feedback had been given to the effect that the school had made reasonable progress since the last visit. HMI had acknowledged various levels of improvement in leadership, quality of teaching and behaviour.

The County Education Officer emphasised that staff were not being complacent as a result of this judgement. The school remained subject to special measures and significant improvements were still expected. Issues remained to be resolved regarding pupil numbers, pupil behaviour, stability of staffing and the general image of the school within the community. The Panel were advised that further reports on this school would be received at subsequent meetings.

11 JOHN HUNT OF EVEREST COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. Work was continuing with the school as it still had serious weaknesses and an Ofsted visit was expected during the Autumn term, prior to which substantial improvements would be needed. Concerns were raised regarding the school's future budget constraints due to the impending move to new accommodation in 2007. It was hoped that pupil numbers might increase slightly as a result of interest in the new accommodation and from building developments in the area. The County Education Officer confirmed that the school was seeking involvement from the local community to aid its improvement and develop its reputation. The Panel were advised that further reports on this school would be received at subsequent meetings.

12 MENGHAM JUNIOR SCHOOL, HAYLING ISLAND

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. The Panel were advised that the LEA had been aware of issues within the school prior to the inspection at which Ofsted found it to have serious weaknesses. Some measures to improve the school had already been taken before the inspection. The Governing Body and LEA were awaiting Ofsted approval of their Action Plan and Statement of Action respectively. Work would continue and it was hoped that this school would be judged as having addressed its serious weaknesses soon. The Panel were advised that further reports on this school would be received at subsequent meetings.

13 TESTWOOD SCHOOL, TOTTON

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. It was explained to the Panel that despite receiving the judgement from Ofsted that the school was providing satisfactory quality of education, the school and LEA were working together in a manner commensurate with a judgement of having serious weaknesses. This was being done with the agreement and co-operation of the Chair of Governors and the Headteacher with the aim of improving the quality of education provided by the school.

The LEA had employed several of the methods which would be used with schools with serious weaknesses and the Headteacher was working closely with Inspectors and School Improvement Managers to improve the school. A team of Inspectors would be conducting a visit in the style of HMI in the second half of the spring term to assess its progress. The Panel were pleased to hear that a link had been formed between this school and Wildern School to provide coaching, support and encouragement to the leadership team. The Panel were advised that a further report on this school's progress would be received at a subsequent meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Panel endorse the provision of challenge and support for the school commensurate with schools judged to have serious weaknesses.

14 THE FOREST EDUCATION CENTRE, DIBDEN PURLIEU

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. The Panel were pleased to hear that the Centre had been judged by HMI to no longer require special measures. Further work was being done to improve the Centre following that judgement. The County Education Officer reassured Members that work would be undertaken to nurture and develop staff for future leadership positions.

Councillor Dash declared an interest in this item by virtue of being a member of the Management Board for Forest Education Centre.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Centre Manager and her staff be congratulated on the rapid improvement of the Centre.

(b) That the LEA staff involved in supporting the Centre, most notably the Attached Inspector and Head of Services (Pupils) for the Western Area be commended for their continued support and challenge to the Centre.

15 NETLEY MARSH CE INFANT SCHOOL

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. The Panel were informed that as a result of the visit in January 2005, HMI had judged that the school no longer required special measures. The Panel were pleased to hear that this judgement had been made 11 months ahead of schedule. This was attributed to the new headteacher, interim acting headteachers and the help of other school leadership teams from the area. The Panel felt that this was an excellent example of a community working with a school to help it to improve. The County Education Officer reassured the Panel that support for the school would continue for the rest of the year to ensure that the higher standards of education remain.

RESOLVED:

That the headteacher, staff, governing body, the School Improvement Manager and the Attached Inspector be congratulated for the rapid improvement of the school and its removal from special measures well ahead of schedule.

16 MERDON JUNIOR SCHOOL, CHANDLER'S FORD

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the County Education Officer (Item 16 in the Minute Book) detailing progress with the school. The Panel were informed that since Ofsted judged that the school was underachieving, HMI had made one follow up visit and, in oral feedback, had judged progress since the last visit as good. The school would remain in the underachieving category until its next inspection when it was anticipated that it would be removed from this category. The Panel noted that the LEA and, in particular, the Geography Inspector had been complemented by HMI in their support and challenge of the school. Also noted was the hard work of the leadership team, staff and governors in addressing the issues of underachievement.

RESOLVED:

That the headteacher, deputy headteacher, staff and governors be congratulated on the progress made by the school since May 2005.