Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: School Improvements

Forward Plan Ref: 2012/014

Contact: Andy Roberts, Interim Deputy Director for Education & Early Intervention Tel: (01865) 815498

Report by Interim Director for Children, Education & Families (CA12).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)                 Confirm the Council’s future role as commissioner of outcomes, and a champion for the children and families of the county.

b)                Confirm its absolute commitment to improve educational outcomes for those children.

c)                 Clearly state the Council's support for the conversion of schools to become academies and the establishment of new forms of schools, including free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges.

d)                 Agree to conduct a time-limited piece of work to better inform a proposed Oxfordshire Academies Programme, building upon existing conversions and sponsorship arrangements to create a structured and supportive environment for school autonomy and collaboration.

e)                 Agree to establish a new Advisory Board on Education Standards to advise the Council in its role as a Commissioner of excellent outcomes in Education.

Cabinet considered a report seeking confirmation from the Cabinet on its position in respect of the conversion of schools to academies and the establishment of new forms of schools and the future role of the Council.

Councillor Altaf-Khan, Shadow Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement referred to the context of the current legislation and expressed concerns that the Local Authority was not in a position to deal with failing schools. There were a number of issues where multi-school academies could force schools in to converting without proper discussion and this would cause problems. He welcomed the move to set up an Advisory Board but suggested that a Committee would also be needed to safeguard the position of schools and stakeholders. He noted the reference to community leaders and commented that he was not sure who they would be given the very diverse nature of Oxford. He stated that each school case would need to be considered on its merits.

The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement introduced the contents of the report referring to the commitment to improve educational outcomes and to encourage dialogue with schools. However she stressed that the Council did not have the power to force any school to become an academy. She referred to feedback from the National Union of Teachers that endorsed their opposition to academies but supported the Council’s attempts to manage the situation.

During discussion reference was made to a helpful and supportive letter from The Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education. Cabinet welcomed the opportunity to set out its commitment to improving educational outcomes and its support for the academy process. The leadership role of the Council was essential and all Councilors had a role to play in raising the aspirations of people from all sections of the community.  Whilst enthusiastic, a note of caution was sounded by the Cabinet Member for Finance & Property in respect of the impact on Council finances as a result of the conversion of secondary and primary schools. A range of duties would remain to the Council and he hoped that central Government would be realistic and fair over the need to finance those duties.

RESOLVED:            to:

(a)               confirm the Council’s future role as commissioner of outcomes, and a champion for the children and families of the county;

(b)               confirm its absolute commitment to improve educational outcomes for those children;

(c)               clearly state the Council's support for the conversion of schools to become academies and the establishment of new forms of schools, including free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges;

(d)               agree to conduct a time-limited piece of work to better inform a proposed Oxfordshire Academies Programme, building upon existing conversions and sponsorship arrangements to create a structured and supportive environment for school autonomy and collaboration; and

(e)               agree to establish a new Advisory Board on Education Standards to advise the Council in its role as a Commissioner of excellent outcomes in Education.