Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on 30 September 2009.

PRESENT:

Councillors P. Edgar (Chairman); B. Collin; B.D. Dash; K.D. Evans; R.J. Kimber; R. McIntosh; J. Porter.

Co-opted Members : Mr. J. Gawthorpe; Mr. D. Mews; Mr. D.White

Also in attendance : Councillor D.A.Kirk, Executive Lead Member for Children's Services and Councillor Mrs. C.A. Bailey (As an Observer)

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M. Kemp-Gee and Mrs S. Wheale.

2. 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.

3. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising:

Minute 38 : It was noted that the recommendations from the working party of Children and Young People Select Committee Members about the recruitment and retention of Headteachers would be presented to the next meeting of the Panel.

4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed Members to their first meeting of the Panel and introduced Dr. R. Sykes, Headteacher of Thornden School, Chandlers Ford who was to give a presentation about the achievements of his school.

The Director of Children's Services summarised the work of the panel and its role and responsibilities.

5. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations made under this item.

6. ACHIEVING AND SUSTAINING OUTSTANDING - PRESENTATION BY DR. R. SYKES, HEADTEACHER OF THORNDEN SCHOOL, CHANDLERS FORD

The Panel received a presentation by Dr. R. Sykes, Headteacher of Thornden School. He highlighted the key practices adopted by himself and the teaching staff at Thornden which had resulted in the school's success and to its achieving an "outstanding" rating following its most recent Ofsted Inspection Report in 2007. He spoke in detail about the ethos of the school, the importance of leadership at every level, the method of target setting for pupils, the benefits of staff training and other good practice workshops and of grouping children in mixed ability classes etc. The Headteacher reported that it was the intention to further develop existing practices in a positive way so as to ensure the future success of the school.

Following a question and answer session, the Panel thanked Dr. Sykes for attending the meeting and for his most interesting and informative presentation.

7. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

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 1 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.

8. 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 those schools.

[SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPT MINUTE]

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