Archived decisions
Item 3
AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on 24 September 2008.
PRESENT:
Councillors: Mrs C.A. Leversha (Acting Chairman); D.R. Blampied; Mrs E.M. Byrom; B.D. Dash; K.D. Evans; K.L. Gill; Jo Kelly; R.J. Kimber; Mrs S.A. Wheale.
Co-Opted Members: Mr J. Gawthorpe; Hon. Alderman S.W. Juniper; Mr D. Mewes; Mr D. White.
Also in attendance: Councillor D.A. Kirk, Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)
16 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs P.A. West, who was undertaking County Council business.
17 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code.
There were no declarations of interest made by under this item.
18 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting on 23 May 2008 were confirmed as correct and signed by the Acting Chairman.
Matters arising:
Minute 13: A consultation process had begun to bring Hampshire County Council's Children's Plan in line with that of central government.
Minute 15: The 14-19 Diploma had started in September 2008. With reference to the school outlined in minute 15, the provision of this qualification was tied to the development of post-16 education at the school.
19 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Acting Chairman led Members in welcoming Gerry Price, West Hampshire Area Director to the meeting, having recently returned to work following a period of illness.
20 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations made under this item.
21 PROVISIONAL TEST AND EXAMINATION RESULTS FOR HAMPSHIRE
The Panel considered the presentation of the Director of Children's Services (included in the Minute Book) setting out the provisional test and examination results for Hampshire. It was stressed that the data contained within the presentation was provisional, and was not based on formal data. The results reflected a number of factors within the County, and did not wholly reflect the work of schools. Provisionally, Hampshire had had a good year in terms of results, with incremental improvement among children aged 11, and significant improvement among 16 year olds. The provisional figures had highlighted a gap in attainment between the `top' 80% and `bottom' 20%. The goal of reducing this gap was highlighted to Members although, due to the diverse mixture of communities with the County, it would be difficult to achieve.
An improvement in results for children in care had been recorded, although further improvement was required to enable these children to have equality of opportunity. The provisional results had also demonstrated the positive benefit from a pilot project in the South East of the County, which had provided additional tuition to children in care through the use of phonics and paired reading. As a result of this success this would be expanded to include all primary school aged children in care in Hampshire.
Good results at Key Stage 4 were expected, both in Hampshire and the country at large, with Hampshire expected to be well placed amongst its statistical neighbours, whilst the number of schools achieving less than 30% of pupils meeting targets for English and Maths was expected to halve from 6 to 3. Members requested that the Headteacher of Thornden School be invited to speak to the Panel about steps taken to achieve the high levels of attainment within the school.
The Panel noted that parental effect on a child's education was significantly greater than that of primary schools. Therefore, it was considered important to ensure that schools and the Local Authority worked with parents to deliver both a more holistic approach to education, and to challenge any negative parental experiences of education. Members agreed that the goal of increasing attainment of level 2B at Key Stage 1 was a challenging one, but that the benefit that would be provided to children meant that the effect of achieving it would be significant. Members discussed measures of school performance, agreeing that a basket of measures were required, rather than a single measure used in isolation.
The Panel was of the view that the improvement in results represented real improvement in the delivery and effectiveness of education in Hampshire, and did not represent a "dumbing down" of tests.
22 PROGRESS OF PUPILS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLS
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) describing the outcomes of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Hampshire schools. There had been variation in results across the County due to the lack of a consistent standard for provision of a SEN statement, as provision is linked to peer comparison, a standard which fluctuates based on results within that particular school. Additionally, as some specialist provision can be accessed without a statement of SEN, parents do not always choose to seek a statement if provision is available without one. Staffing levels, given the size and population of Hampshire were patchy, but were monitored to ensure that staff levels did not impact significantly on service provision. Effective assessment of SEN was highlighted as of high importance, as it was instrumental in the identification and resolution of a pupils root difficulties or disabilities.
Members discussed issues related to SEN Tribunals, and noted that the number of parents seeking hearings was comparatively large. The Panel discussed the results contained in the report, and noted with concern the disappointing size of the gap in the SEN/non-SEN gap indicator for children achieving 5 A*-C GCSEs including English and Maths, but were pleased that, set against children and young people in places similar to Hampshire, children with SEN in Hampshire make good progress.
23 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That in relation to the following item, the press and public be excluded from the meeting, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraphs 1,2 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the report.
24 PROGRESS OF SCHOOLS IN WEST HAMPSHIRE CAUSING CONCERN
The Panel considered the exempt report of the Director of Children's Services on schools in West Hampshire that were causing concern. Members discussed in detail issues relating to these schools.
[SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]
25 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Members noted that the next meeting of the Panel was due to be held at 9.15 a.m. on 28 January 2009 at The Castle, Winchester.
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