Item 2

AT A MEETING of the SCHOOLS MONITORING PANEL of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 18 October 2005.

Chairman:

p Councillor R.J. Kimber

Vice Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs E.M. Byrom

Councillors:

p B.D. Dash

p K.L. Gill

p Mrs A.M. McNair Scott

Co-opted:

p Mr D. Chapman parent governor representative

p Ms P. Clarke full time teacher

a Mr D. Walker full time teacher

Also present: Councillor Mrs C.A. Bailey; Councillor Mrs C.A. Leversha; and Councillor Mrs J.K. Frankum.

17 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D.A. Kirk - Executive Member with for Education - due to his attendance at a conference on behalf of the County Council and from Mr D. Walker.

18 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.

19 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on Tuesday 21 June 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

20 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed all the Councillors and Officers present, particularly those Councillors who had come to discuss schools in their wards.

21 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were received.

22 NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM SEPTEMBER 2005

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 5 in the Minute Book) summarising the organisational changes to the work with mainstream secondary schools as a result of the implementation of the New Relationship with Schools programme. The role of the School Improvement Partner (SIP) was outlined, as was the relationship between the Children's Services Department and the contractor Capita. It was emphasised that, while SIPs are trained and employed as consultants by Capita, the work they did was commissioned by the Children's Services Department.

Concerns were raised over the flexibility of arrangements with Capita, in particular, the hours that SIPs were contracted to work and the opportunity to choose their partner schools. The Director of Children's Services confirmed that SIPs were contracted to work with each school for five days a year, each Headteacher SIP had up to three partner schools which they had the opportunity to comment on before the partnership was made. It was expected that SIPs would meet with their schools once a term, but the timings of these meetings were flexible. Those SIPs who were Children's Services Department staff would each have more than three schools. It was highlighted that, as a result of the new arrangements, there would now be more contact time with each school than there had been under previous arrangements.

Evidence of improvements in primary schools as a result of this style of arrangements was cited which suggested that not only schools which received help from a SIP improved their results but also that schools whose Headteachers were employed as SIPs improved their results. It was felt that this work was valuable experience and would inspire schools leaders to think of new ways to improve their own schools. It was explained that there were mechanisms in place to prevent schools from being vulnerable while their Headteachers were away actings as SIPs.

The Director of Children's Services outlined the important role that SIPs could play in carrying community messages into schools. Through providing joint training and briefing sessions, the Children's Services Department could ensure that SIPs acted as a team, worked in a consistent manner and communicated the same ideas to different schools. It was felt that, in this role, the SIPs would become community leaders within Hampshire schools.

23 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of paragraphs 1, 4, 7, 11 and 13 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.

24 MANAGED SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of those schools which had been identified as requiring some additional support to improve but which were not subject to special measures or categorised as having serious weaknesses. The background to this report was initially outlined for the panel that under previous arrangements a lack of co-ordination in work had led to a lack of impact on schools which required additional attention. To overcome this, the Managed School Improvement Projects were implemented with the purpose of co-ordinating better work in those schools. As a result of these arrangements there had been many improvements within a majority of those schools, however a core of schools still required specific attention to address issues.

Concerns were raised regarding the importance of the continuity of subject advisors, particularly in the subject of English at one particular school. It was felt by some Members that continuity of supporting staff was an important factor in making lasting improvements within a school. It was confirmed by the Director of Children's Services that there had been a certain level of staff turnover within the team of English subject advisers. It was also commented that, while continuity was sometimes an issue, there remained occasions when a change of support staff could be beneficial.

Members commented that they had noticed improvements in the schools within their wards which were receiving attention under these projects and praised staff for their hard work and dedicated approach. The Panel went on to consider the appendices detailing the progress of 42 schools which had been the subject of Managed School Improvement Projects. In several cases the Panel was pleased to see that schools would no longer be project managed as a result of significant improvements. Members were also pleased to hear that several other schools had made progress, but would remain project managed until further improvements had been made. In some cases the Panel heard that some schools would be receiving intensive support and that, if significant improvements were not made, robust action would be taken.

The Panel was advised that a further report on Managed School Improvement Projects would be made at a subsequent meeting.

25 OAK FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL, COVE - SPECIAL MEASURES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of this school. Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) had not made any further visits since the last meeting, however the Panel was provided with more detail on the report from the previous inspection. Several improvements in pupil achievements were highlighted, however it was noted that further improvements would be necessary and some staffing issues were still to be resolved. The Director of Children's Services emphasised the importance of the role played in the school by the Ethnic Minority Support Team and the school's successful bid for funding to become an extended school. It was hoped that these things would help the school to make stronger links and develop better relations within the community.

The Panel was advised that a further report would be made on this school at its next meeting.

26 JOHN HUNT OF EVEREST COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BASINGSTOKE - SERIOUS WEAKNESSES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of this school. No further monitoring visits had been received from HMI since the last meeting and it was anticipated that one would be made within the current term. A tough and decisive Headteacher SIP had been carefully chosen for the school and high levels of support were in place. It was reported that there remained serious concerns about the overall progress of pupils.

Councillor Mrs Frankum was present as local County Councillor and described to the panel the levels of deprivation within the catchment area of the school. It was also highlighted that the numbers on role were increasing and that the age and state of the current school building may have had a detrimental effect of the quality of teaching. It was noted that the estimated date for finishing the new accommodation was subject to change. The view was held by some Members that this could be an opportunity for a fresh start for the pupils of the school. It was felt by the Panel and the Director of Children's Services that the most important thing would be to ensure the welfare and education of the children in the area.

The Panel was advised that a further report would be made on this school at its next meeting.

27 PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALDERSHOT

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of this school. The Panel was delighted that the school was no longer subject to special measures. It was explained that since being removed from special measures the LEAs confidence in the school had been shown to be justified by the significant improvements in Key Stage 2 results. It was highlighted that the school had appointed an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) and that the School Improvement Manager (SIM) was still working closely with the leadership team.

The Panel offered its congratulations and thanks to the Children's Services Department staff for their hard work in helping this school to improve. The Panel was advised that no further reports would be made on this school

RESOLVED:

That the Panel write a letter of congratulations to the Headteacher and the Chair of Governors.

28 MENGHAM JUNIOR SCHOOL, HAYLING ISLAND - SERIOUS WEAKNESSES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of this school. The Panel was informed that the LEA Statement of Action and the Governors' Action Plan had been written and were being implemented. Under the new inspection procedures Ofsted would not be providing a judgement on those documents until their next visit and the school would only received two days' prior notice before the monitoring visit was made. It was reported that some staffing issues had been resolved and that the SIM viewed the quality of teaching to be satisfactory. The Director of Children's Services commented on the LEA's confidence in the school's ability to improve as a result of the level of resolution of the leadership team.

The Panel was advised that a further report would be made on this school at its next meeting.

29 OLIVER'S BATTERY PRIMARY SCHOOL, WINCHESTER - SPECIAL MEASURES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of this school. The Panel were informed that the Attached Inspector (AI) and SIM were working closely with the Headteacher and Governors to develop an action plan. Although this support had been well received, there was still not an action plan in place. There remained some concerns over the leadership of this school.

Councillor Mrs Bailey was present as local County Councillor and expressed her concern that this school had entered special measures, but thanked the SIM and the Strategic School Improvement Manager (SSIM) for keeping her informed on the developments and issues regarding this school.

The Panel was advised that a further report would be made on this school at its next meeting.

30 AMPFIELD CE PRIMARY SCHOOL - SERIOUS WEAKNESSES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of this school. A copy of the LEA Statement of Action and its commentary on the inspection were made available for Members. The Panel heard the circumstances of the short inspection and the feelings of the school and the LEA that, although the judgement was a harsh and perhaps unjustified one, the leadership team had decided to use the opportunity to make improvements at the school.

It was noted that the school was focussing its attention on the process of development rather than dwelling on the judgement of having serious weaknesses. It was felt that the school suffered from no more serious problems than any other very small school. The Director of Children's Services highlighted that the numbers on role at the school had increased significantly in the previous six months. Mr Gilliat, the Diocesan Representative, thanked the support staff for their hard work and understanding during what had been a difficult year for the school.

The Panel was advised that a further report would be made on this school at its next meeting.

31 WILLIAM GILPIN CE PRIMARY SCHOOL, BOLDRE, LYMINGTON - SERIOUS WEAKNESSES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 14 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the progress of this school. The LEA Statement of Action, its commentary on the inspection and a table of the key issues for improvement were made available for Members. The Panel heard the circumstances of the short inspection made by HMI and were assured that the LEA would be taking robust measures to improve the quality of teaching and learning. It was explained to the Panel that, although the school's action plan had been received, it was felt that further issues needed to be addressed. As a consequence the SIM would be working closely with the governing body to redraft the action plan and to implement it by the time of the next monitoring visit.

The school would be interviewing for a new Headteacher the following week. It was hoped that the leadership issues, the morale of staff and the perception of the LEA's support staff would improve once the new Headteacher was in post. The school improvement staff were working hard to try to develop relations with the leadership team and hoped that this would translate into improvements within the school. The Diocesan Representative remarked on his feelings of reassurance by the comments made and noted that the Diocese would be taking an active role in supporting this school through the newly appointed Diocesan Schools Support Officer.

The Panel was advised that a further report would be made on this school at its next meeting.