Agenda item

12.20pm

Allyson Milward, Academies Manager to provide an update on outcomes of the Academies Programme in 2013, including information on which schools have converted, which schools are in the consultation stages and which schools have yet to convert (ESC9).

The Committee had before them the report of the Director for Children’s Services on the End of Year (2013), Academies Programme.  Allyson Milward, Academies Manager, informed the Committee that 2013 had seen a steady stream of conversions within Oxfordshire.  There was now a tendency for schools to convert in groups, but there had also been significant variations in conversion rates.

By April 2015, it is anticipated that 40-50% of existing schools will be academies, as well as the newly-formed academies specialising for children with specific educational needs i.e. children with autism.  Officers have built new relationships, learning to work with new academies in different ways.  It was reported that groups of schools converting at the same time were easier to deal with.

During discussion it was noted that there is a slower take-up from the primary sector, as they are unsure of the benefits offered by conversion to academy status.  There was a tendency for schools to become defensive as essential services i.e.  HR, legal and insurance provision, are withdrawn by the Council.  Schools appear to have more confidence buying in these services as part of a group.  It was observed that conversion to academy status was effectively driven by secondary schools in the county.  The average cost to the Council of a school converting was £10,000, although this was a crude figure.  There are three staff members who cover advice on HR, legal issues, finance and property issues.  Issues such as buildings transfers, although detailed, are now involving more standardised processes and procedures.

Concern was also raised that Carillion were carrying out assessments within schools for works required in order to provide Free School Meals.  Carillion would then later be the contractor carrying out those works.  It was noted that appropriate checks and measures were in place in order to minimise misuse in this process.  The Committee noted that there would be a written question to Council on this matter from Councillor Stratford.

In respect of paragraph 17 of the report, it was noted that the new academies would impact massively on Capital Funding in terms of places.  Tyndale Community Primary School would extract capacity from Oxford schools, whilst Heyford Park School had secondary capacity.  The Committee also heard that the MacIntyre Academy, for Autistic Children, plans to have places for 25 students, with 8-10 residential places.

Ms Milward confirmed that the Education Funding Agency (EFA) had written to the Council confirming the adjustments to Capital Funding, but there was essential work on-going with regards to this matter.  Councillor Waine requested that this letter be brought to the next meeting of the Committee, as there were major issues surrounding this and funding under Section 102.

The Committee also considered what could be done to encourage more bodies to sponsor schools, and heard that officers were working towards growing a pool of local sponsors.  Some applications were currently with the DfE, in relation to primary and secondary academies, and the Council had placed advertisements in Schools News for speakers as to what it is like to be a sponsor.  Although there is little financial incentive for sponsors initially, grants are available and bodies can then express an interest in running a new school for example.

Committee also heard that The Warriner School had consulted with the DfE for advice, and their brokers were involved.  Although the Council do speak to the DfE Sponsorship Team, they prefer to deal with schools direct, rather than the local authority.  Officers advised the Committee that they meet with the DfE brokers on a 3 monthly basis, and have a good relationship with them.  Where the Council are aware that the DfE are due to send a team into schools, they will arrange to send an Officer to the school at the same time.  However, on occasions visits have been made without warning.  The Committee noted that the DfE had treated the Council badly in the past, and the DfE should be made aware of this.

RESOLVED:  to note the report.