Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and in particular Sir Bosher and Sarah Hubbard who were here for agenda item 5.

Apologies were received from Councillor Harrod (Councillor Mills substituting).

10.05

Sir Robin Bosher, Ofsted Regional Director, South East Region and Sarah Hubbard, Her Majesty’s Inspector, South East Region will be in attendance.

Sir Robin Bosher, Ofsted Regional Director, South East Region and Sarah Hubbard, Her Majesty’s Inspector, South East Region updated the Committee on the work of Ofsted and its priorities.

Sir Bosher explained the organisational framework for Ofsted and commented that the regionalisation meant that it was possible for the regional offices to get to know the authorities in a region better and he introduced Sarah Hubbard who was Oxfordshire’s link HMI. He detailed the new operating model and that they were bringing in a new common framework. Inspections had been brought wholly in house and a rigorous assessment programme was in place to ensure quality. The number of current practitioners (Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers) had been increased and it was his wish to see the proportion grow. Ofsted benefitted from their experience and the Inspectors gain by taking back their knowledge and understanding of Ofsted to their schools and local areas. He explained that the common framework would apply across schools, colleges and early years and that the new model would see good schools get a 1 day short inspection every 3 years with the option for Ofsted to convert it to a full inspection if necessary.

Sarah Hubbard as Oxfordshire’s link HMI commented that she had a productive relationship with officers and noted recent results highlighting achievement and areas of concern.

There followed a question and answer session where the following points were made:

1)    Sir Bosher advised that the link HMIs, as an excellent resource, were the key in respect of Ofsted supporting the Committee in providing constructive challenge to schools and academies and in assisting the council in its role of championing good educational outcomes for Oxfordshire and young people. Sarah Hubbard added that there were a number of handbooks on the framework that Members may find helpful. She also referred to a recent report on NE Lincolnshire that provided valuable insight into areas of concern.

2)    Asked about the view of the Scrutiny function across the South East area Sarah Hubbard referred to an interesting report of a Select Committee held on 27 January on the way in which Scrutiny Committees work. She commented that some areas seemed to be doing a good job and highlighted the work in Bristol, York, Calderdale and Hampshire. She added that it was very much an evolving landscape but that it was clear that as elected members there was a role for Scrutiny to play. Sir Bosher added that it was very much a mixed menu.

3)    There was some discussion on the way in which the role of the county council as champions of all children in Oxfordshire could be reconciled with the limited leverage in relation to academies. In particular a member referred to the different relationship with multi academy trusts and concerns about how the county could deal with remote policy making. Sir Bosher accepted role of the county council in representing all young people and indicated that there ways to approach the task.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33/15

11.05

The Committee will have a further discussion based on the matters raised as part of the above discussions with the Ofsted Regional Director, South East Region and  Her Majesty’s Inspector, Ofsted – South East Region.

Rebecca Matthews, Interim Deputy Director, Education and Learning attended for this item together with Councillor Melinda Tilley, Cabinet member for Children, Education and Families. Councillor Tilley welcomed the approach set out by Sir Bosher which seemed to be to look for the good work being done. Rebecca Matthews commented that the discussion had raised a number of interesting points. She welcomed the possibility for a new head teacher in a school requiring improvement to seek a delay in the inspection. They did have a good relationship with the Regional Commissioner and were  already building relationships are suggested by Sir Bosher. She gave examples of meetings with Multi Academy Trusts to consider permanent exclusions. It was AGREED that the Committee receive regular updates on how relationships were building.

Councillor Curran asked to be kept informed with regard to the concerns over  Blackbird Leys which Sarah Hubbard had referred to.

A councillor suggested that Didcot Girls School be invited to a meeting as they had been used as an example of good practice. Rebecca Matthews indicated that it would be helpful to wait for the annual report and to arrange something appropriate at that point. Councillor Tilley added that there were other outstanding schools.

11.20

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2015 (ESC7) and to receive information arising from them.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July were approved and signed as a correct record subject to the following corrections:

Minute 28/15 – the word ‘dome’ corrected to read ‘done’ in point (4);

Minute 29/15 – The spelling of ‘Sarah Varnum’ to be corrected to read ‘Sarah Varnom’.

In relation to Minute 27/15 Rebecca Matthews advised that in relation to action (j) referred to in the first paragraph of the preamble an interim person was in post.

11.25

The report (ESC8) updates the Committee on the meetings held with maintained schools in the Spring of 2015 to challenge plans for use of balances, where schools had consistently retained surplus revenue balances at the end of the last four financial years. Rebecca Matthews, Interim Deputy Director for Education and Learning and Gillian McKee, Finance Business Partner for Children Education & Families (CEF) will attend to respond to questions.

The Education Scrutiny Committee is RECOMMENDED:

(a)              to note the contents of the report;

(b)              to note that schools will be reminded of the need to spend revenue funding on current cohorts of pupils as part of the  annual budget setting process; and

(c)              to note that if schools are identified as having consistent surplus balances they will be challenged and may be invited in to discuss proposed use of balances with Councillors and the Deputy Director for Education & Learning.

The Committee considered a report that gave an update on the meetings held with maintained schools in the Spring of 2015 to challenge plans for use of balances, where schools had consistently retained surplus revenue balances at the end of the last four financial years. Rebecca Matthews, Interim Deputy Director for Education and Learning and Gillian McKee, Finance Business Partner for Children Education & Families (CEF) attended to respond to questions.

Rebecca Matthews explained how the three schools invited in to discuss the level of their balances had been chosen. A member welcomed the overall reduction in balances set out in paragraph 10 of the report. The Chairman noted that there would be an update at the end of the year and Rebecca Matthews confirmed that schools were very aware that they would be scrutinised.

It was suggested that given the tough budgetary position in future more focus should be on those schools just breaking even, or in deficit and those schools becoming academies. It was suggested that this Committee should consider whether a report was needed on academy and free school balances.

The Education Scrutiny Committee AGREED:   to:

(a)              note the contents of the report;

(b)              note that schools will be reminded of the need to spend revenue funding on current cohorts of pupils as part of the annual budget setting process;

(c)              note that if schools are identified as having consistent surplus balances they will be challenged and may be invited in to discuss proposed use of balances with Councillors and the Deputy Director for Education & Learning.

At this point it was agreed to vary the order of the agenda.

12.00

Brenda Mullen, Managing Director of MacIntyre Academies Trust and Nicky Wills, Principal, Endeavour Academy will attend to give a presentation .

Brenda Mullen, Managing Director of MacIntyre Academies Trust and Nicky Wills, Principal, Endeavour Academy to give a presentation on the first year of the Endeavour Academy and the work of MacIntyre Academies Trust.

The Committee was advised of the background of the Trust which had its roots in Oxfordshire and worked closely with the County Council. Nicky Wills explained the Academy provided local educational provision for children with autism having complex needs and included residential provision, both long term and short breaks. She detailed the services available for children and young people at the Academy, explained the approach to learning and how achievements and progress was measured.

During discussion members heard how the split between school and home life was managed for those children who were residential. There was no scope to enlarge the school but they were looking at other models including opening a hub within a mainstream school. There was some discussion of the trends in cases of autism and a suggestion that future demand could be problematic. Brenda Mullen explained that they worked within the legal requirements and would treat a cross boundary application like any other. Penny explained the process to select pupils for the schools and the importance of family involvement. That involvement was facilitated if the children were local. The 25 places at the school were based on a needs analysis by the County Council. Funding was the same as for other academies with the social care funding through children’s services.

Responding to a question about arrangements for children after the school Brenda Mullen explained that The MacIntyre Academies Trust was set up to run the schools but was supported by a national charity. They had a long history and practice of working with people with a learning disability. Penny Wills added that they worked with other agencies and  supported families but there were limited opportunities out there.

The Chairman thanked Brens Mullen and Penny Wills for their attendance.

11.45

This report (ESC9) outlines the progress being made by the Local Authority in preparation for a potential Ofsted inspection of school improvement functions.  It highlights changes to the LA Risk Register against the key triggers.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note this Update Report and continue to ensure that their forward work plan contains appropriate Scrutiny coverage of the nine inspection themes.

The Committee considered a report that outlined the progress being made by the Local Authority in preparation for a potential Ofsted inspection of school improvement functions. It highlighted changes to the LA Risk Register against the key triggers.

Rebecca Matthews, Interim Deputy Director of Education & Learning introduced the contents of the report.

The Chairman referred to the large number of items for this Committee to consider as set out in the appendix and it was noted that some of these would need to be considered only bi-annually.

Rebecca Matthews responded to concerns around the traded service, financial aspects of schools, the need to challenge academy and local authority schools and NEETs and the funding available to parents.

The Committee AGREED to note the Update Report and to continue to ensure that their forward work plan contains appropriate Scrutiny coverage of the nine inspection themes.

12.35

Councillor Pete Handley will present a summary report (ESC11) of the discussion and the recommendations of the working group to the Education Scrutiny Committee.

The Education Scrutiny Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)            recognise the positive trajectory of Oxfordshire County Council in supporting young people not in education, employment or training;

(b)            encourage Early Intervention and Economy & Skills teams to link on a regular basis with the Education and Learning Senior Management Team to ensure clarity and joint working; and

(c)            ensure governors are aware of their statutory responsibilities in relation to NEETs.

It was proposed and AGREED to defer consideration of this item to the next meeting.

12.50

An opportunity to discuss and prioritise future topics for the Committee, potential approaches to its work and to discuss the schedule for future meetings.

After consideration of the forward plan the following items were prioritised:

Schools’ Performance Data

Draft Education Strategy

Draft Vulnerable Learners Strategy

NEETs

Exclusions (to also include the positive aspect of schools doing well to keep challenging pupils in school)

Reference was made to comments from Sarah Harding that tuition for those coming into nursery work was inadequate which was concerning. Rebecca Matthews indicated that this had implications for the County Council in terms of in-house training once employed.

It was AGREED that future visits be arranged to see the work of the MacIntyre Academies Trust and the UTC