Item 3

AT A MEETING of the SCHOOLS MONITORING PANEL of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 7 February 2006.

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 Members:

p Mr P. Gilliat diocesan representative

a Mr D. Chapman parent governor representative

p Ms P. Clarke full time teacher

p Mr D. Walker full time teacher

Also present: Councillor Mrs J.K. Frankum, Councillor G.M. Hockley and Mr S.W. Juniper.

32 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mr D. Chapman.

33 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 Dash declared a personal interest as a governor for Applemore College, Dibden Purlieu (Minute 50).

Councillor Mrs Frankum declared a personal interest as the local member for John Hunt of Everest Community School, Basingstoke and also by virtue of her son being a governor at that school (Minute 47).

Councillor Hockley declared a personal interest as the local member for one of the schools receiving project management (Minute 42).

34 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on Tuesday 18 October 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

35 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

36 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were received.

37 PUPIL ATTITUDE SURVEY 2005

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 6 in the minute book) setting out the results of the fifth Pupil Attitude Survey. The survey had, for the first time, included questions about young people's perceptions of bullying and racial abuse. Pupil responses had reported a higher occurrence of these cases than had been anticipated based upon schools' reports.

The Director of Children's Services explained that, although young people's perceptions differed from schools' perceptions, the results of the survey should nevertheless be taken seriously. Comparisons could not be made between the statistics from this survey and other authority's statistics, because other authorities other authorities did not appear to have asked pupils for their views on bullying and racial abuse on this scale. However, two independent national surveys demonstrated that pupils' perceptions were similar nationally. A strategic group had been established to consider and renew the guidance given to schools about managing cases of bullying and racial abuse within the context of modern technology and bullying methods, the terms of reference of which are attached as appendix 1.

Members highlighted the importance of dealing effectively with bullies and addressing the issues which motivate young people to partake in bullying. It was felt that these statistics demonstrated that young people were more self-aware and less ashamed to admit to having been bullied or racially abused. Many schools had already begun to take stronger action to address these issues in light of the results of this survey. The Panel noted that further work would be done by the Authority to support schools in tackling the issues relating to racial abuse and bullying and it gave its support to further investigation into these results.

Members were pleased to note the rise in the number of young people with access to home computers but highlighted that those without home computers could be at a disadvantage. Public libraries were able to offer some computer facilities to young people and some schools provided after school IT sessions.

38 SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: EVALUATION OF WORK UNDERTAKEN IN 2003/2004

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 7 in the minute book) outlining the outcome from the sixth year of support for departments in secondary schools carried out by subject inspectors and advisors. The effectiveness of this work was illustrated by the average improvement in pupils' achievement of over half a grade at GCSE level. The importance of the process of self-evaluation was highlighted and it was confirmed that the County Council would continue to provide data and guidance to aid schools and departments to complete effective and informed evaluations of their own performance. The Panel was pleased to note the effective support being offered to schools.

39 ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN LOOKED AFTER 2004-2005

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 8 in the minute book) summarising the academic performance of children looked after at all key stages in Hampshire for the year 2004/05. As Corporate Parents, the County Council had a specific responsibility to promote the welfare of children looked after. The academic performance of young people had a direct impact upon their life opportunities and therefore on their future welfare. It was explained that the report contained statistics only on those children who had been in the care of Hampshire County Council for 12 months or longer, and did therefore not include young people in respite care.

Members were pleased to note that these statistics showed a steady increase in the academic performance of Hampshire's children looked after. There had also been an increase in the number of exams for which children looked after had been entered. However, there remained a significant gap between the overall academic performance of this cohort of children looked after and the average performance of young people in the County. In order for the academic performance of children looked after to improve, schools' expectations of them would need to be raised. The proportion of children with special needs within this cohort was ten times the national average and this would have an impact on the academic performance of the cohort as a whole.

Members felt it was important to provide a strong system of support for children looked after and that movements between carers or schools should be avoided where possible. Training courses had been designed to equip bespoke foster carers to provide levels of support for all stages of a young person's educational life. It was hoped that the advent of the Common Assessment Framework would help to provide young people with more consistent support. The Panel welcomed the new and ongoing work of the team for the Education of Children in Care.

40 OFSTED INSPECTIONS OF HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLS - AUTUMN 2005

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 9 in the minute book) detailing the outcomes of all inspections which took place up to 31 December 2005 under the new system. The Panel was pleased to see the high number of schools which had received `Outstanding' or `Good' outcomes. It was confirmed that most good schools had already been undertaking rigorous self-evaluations and that the new system had formalised this process. Schools were generally pleased with the increased emphasis on learning and outcomes rather than processes.

It was felt that County Councillors should be encouraged to visit their local schools, especially those which had received outstanding inspection reports, in order to see the high quality of education being provided. The Panel also felt that those schools which had received outstanding inspection reports should be congratulated. Further reports summarising the outcomes of inspections would be made.

41 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.

42 MANAGED SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

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 those schools which had been receiving additional support through project management. The Panel considered the appendices detailing the progress of those schools. Members felt that this work was a good example of the expert services a Local Authority could provide for schools. Further reports would be made on Managed School Improvement Projects.

43 HERNE JUNIOR SCHOOL, PETERSFIELD - SPECIAL MEASURES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 12 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. There had been changes in the structure of the leadership team and it was hoped that these would facilitate improvements. The school was keeping parents informed of developments and it had a clear understanding of the expectations for improvement. The School Improvement Manager (SIM) was visiting the school regularly and support was also being provided by the leadership teams of other local schools. It was expected that a follow up visit would be made by Ofsted in March or April. Further reports would be made on this school.

44 SISKIN JUNIOR SCHOOL, GOSPORT - SPECIAL MEASURES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 13 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. The new headteacher had been begun work at the school only three weeks before the Ofsted inspection had taken place. Since the inspection there had been a rejuvenation of the governing body and the leadership team was receiving support from the SIM, the Attached Inspector (AI) and other local headteachers. Educational Psychologists were providing support for staff in managing children's behaviour. Although many improvements had been made, there remained some particular concerns over behaviour and quality of teaching. It was expected that the follow up visit would be made by Ofsted in March or April. Further reports would be made on this school.

45 MENGHAM JUNIOR SCHOOL, HAYLING ISLAND - SERIOUS WEAKNESSES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 14 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. The headteacher was taking a positive approach to improving the school. The general quality of teaching had continued to improve although there remained some particular concerns. The Authority was hopeful that the next inspection would result in a positive report. Further reports would be made on this school.

46 OAK FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL, FARNBOROUGH - SPECIAL MEASURES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 15 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. The Panel was pleased to hear that improvements made by the school had been recognised by Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) during the recent monitoring visit. The school had embraced the extended schools agenda but needed to continue to improve standards and gain further support within the community. There were concerns regarding low admission numbers for the next school year, but it was hoped that this might improve in the future as a result of potential regeneration in the area. Further reports would be made on this school.

47 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 16 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. There remained concerns about standards of achievement in the school. The Director of Children's Services confirmed that robust action would be taken if rapid improvements were not made. More than two years had elapsed since the school had been found to have serious weaknesses in October 2003 and Members agreed that prompt action should be taken to safeguard the education of pupils. The school had been the subject of negative media focus following the recent publication of national league tables.

Councillor Mrs Frankum was present as local County Councillor for the school. She expressed her support for the Strategic School Improvement Manager's (SSIM) team and advised the Panel of the concerns of her constituents. The Panel felt that the new school building demonstrated the commitment of the Local Authority to the pupils' education. There were concerns regarding the low numbers on roll at the school. It was anticipated that the number of surplus school places in the area would reduce following the completion of redevelopment projects in the area. Further reports would be made on this school.

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

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 17 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. There had been recent changes in the leadership team and caretaker headteachers had been seconded to run the school for the rest of the academic year. It was hoped that this would provide the governing body with the opportunity to give substantial consideration to the appointment of a new headteacher. In the meantime, much work was being done to implement improvements at the school and inspectors were in the process of performing a monitoring visit. Further reports would be made on this school.

RESOLVED:

That Mrs Pam Fyfe and the governing body of Hythe Primary School be thanked for their help and support for Oliver's Battery Primary School during November and December 2005.

49 AMPFIELD CE PRIMARY SCHOOL - SERIOUS WEAKNESSES

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 18 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. It was considered that this school had addressed its issues efficiently and had made adequate progress since being judged to have serious weaknesses. Inspectors were in the process of performing a one-day visit and it was hoped that they would consider the school to have sufficiently tackled those weaknesses. It was noted that the school had increased in size since its threatened closure in 2005 and had a number of new pupils with special needs. Further reports would be made on this school.

50 APPLEMORE COLLEGE, DIBDEN PURLIEU - REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 19 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. The new headteacher had experienced a very challenging first term at the school as a result of the difficult situation left by his predecessor. Leadership and management had significantly improved and issues were being addressed with the support of the SSIM's team.

Councillor Dash, as local member, thanked the SSIM's team for their support for the school. It was felt that the school would be better equipped to improve standards once focus had been redirected from provision of sixth form education. Members were of the view that the weaknesses at this school could have been recognised and overcome earlier if support from the Local Authority had been more welcomed in the past. The Panel was pleased to note the well written report from Ofsted which had clearly and concisely identified the issues at the school. Further reports would be made on this school.

51 WINTON SCHOOL, ANDOVER

The Panel received and noted the confidential report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 20 in the minute book) detailing the progress of this school. Although this school had been judged to be effective at its last Ofsted inspection, issues of concern had been highlighted by the headteacher who had taken up post in September 2004. Concerns were mostly of a financial nature, but there were also other issues including the behaviour management system.

Considerable progress had been made since the headteacher had requested additional support from the Local Authority. The SIM was working closely with the leadership team and an experienced, recently retired, headteacher would be providing additional support. There had been an unwillingness to acknowledge the seriousness of some problems and a culture of working separately from the Local Authority. Both of these issues would need to be overcome in order to make the significant level of progress which was required. The Director of Children's Services assured the Panel that the Authority would be prepared to use its formal powers if significant progress could not be demonstrated. Further reports would be made on this school.

Appendix 1

Anti-Bullying Strategy Group

Terms of Reference

Definition

Bullying is the persistent use of verbal or physical aggression with the intention of hurting another person. The United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (1989) protects children from abuse including bullying. Safeguarding children is a key requirement within the Children Act, 2004.

The Anti-Bullying Strategy Group:

This multi-agency group will agree a shared understanding of bullying (including recent developments such as text and internet bullying). Its purpose is to engage with children and parents to develop a holistic approach across sectors to reducing bullying. Specifically:

1. In schools and community settings, promote a rights-respecting culture, and disseminate good practice in relation to:

· recognizing bullying,

· preventing bullying,

· investigating complaints about bullying,

· responding to bullying behaviour, and

· supporting victims.

2. Work with parent representatives to develop and disseminate guidance to parents about what they should do if they suspect their child is being bullied;

3. Engage with children and young people to ensure appropriate and accessible systems are in place to enable children and young people to report bullying

4. Promote activities to help children and young people reduce the likelihood of being bullied;

5. Collect and analyse data about bullying to inform future policy and practice.

Cliff Turner

Chair, Anti-Bullying Strategy Group
March 2006