Archived decisions

Item 3

AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on 28 April 2009.

PRESENT:

Councillors: Mrs P.A. West (Chairman); D.R. Blampied; Mrs E.M. Byrom; B.D. Dash; K.L. Gill; R.J. Kimber; Mrs C.A. Leversha.

Co-Opted Members: Mr J. Gawthorpe; Mrs M. Miles; Mr D. White

Also in attendance: Councillor D.A. Kirk, Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

36 APOLOGIES

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K.D. Evans and Jo Kelly.

37 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.

38 MINUTES

    The minutes of the meeting on 28 January 2009 were confirmed as correct and signed by the Chairman.

    Matters arising:

    Minute 34: Members discussed in detail two matters that arose from the exempt minutes.

    [SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]

    Minute 35: Members asked for clarification as to the start time of the meeting on 30 September. Members were informed that the clerk would update them accordingly.

39 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

    The Chairman led Members in welcoming Brian Pope, Area Director for Education and Inclusion, South East Hampshire and Julie Wilding, District Manager for Havant to the meeting.

    The Chairman informed Members that the Headteacher of Thornden School had been approached to speak to the panel, and whilst unavailable for this meeting, it was hoped that he would be available to speak at the September meeting of the panel.

40 DEPUTATIONS

    There were no deputations made under this item.

41 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS CONSULTATION AND THE APPRENTICESHIPS, CHILDREN, SKILLS AND LEARNING BILL

    The panel received the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the Apprenticeships, Children, Skills and Learning Bill and the 21st Century Schools consultation. Officers explained that the report provided context for the impact both would have on individual schools. However, it was stressed that both were not law yet and there may be changes at a later date.

    It was noted that under the Apprenticeships, Children, Skills and Learning Bill that a duty to co-operate with other partners would be imposed on schools particularly the Children's Trust Board, and schools would need to have regard to the Children and Young People's Plan. It was made clear the bill will transfer the responsibility for commissioning places for the education of 16-18 year olds to Local Authorities.

    Officers made clear that under the 21st Century Schools consultation, schools would have to focus on teaching and learning, and collaborate to make resource go further and be more powerful. A key impact for Hampshire would be the expectation that schools take responsibility for all children in their local area and not just those that attend the school.

    Schools were expected to build learning communities and take away the isolationism of schools, whilst partnering themselves with other agencies to address deeper social issues. Members were concerned about the impact of competition on this, but were pleased to learn that efforts to change the mindset of schools in line with the 21st Century Schools consultation was starting to have some success as Governors and Headteachers' were being made aware of it.

    Members requested that an oral update be provided to a future meeting when more is known on the powers to search pupils for prohibited items and the recording and reporting of the use of force.

    Members were informed that a paper clarifying the transfer of responsibility for commissioning education and training for 16-18 year olds would be provided to a future meeting of the Panel.

42 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.

43 PROGRESS OF SCHOOLS IN SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE CAUSING CONCERN

    The panel considered the exempt report of the Director of Children's Services on schools in South East Hampshire that were causing concern. Members discussed in detail issues relating to those schools.

    [SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]