Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to research commissioned by the Local Government Association concerning the enablement of School Improvement.

Members received a report with an accompanying presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on School Improvement. Members heard that Hampshire had been selected as one of eight local areas for a Case Study analysis of School Improvement commissioned by the Local Government Association and undertaken by ISOS.

Officers gave the Panel an overview of the key messages as highlighted in the presentation followed by the nine key conditions for successful School Improvement Services as identified by the research.

It was noted that relationships between the system leaders were developing and strengthening as partnership working was being fostered. It was further noted that current financial settlement for schools meant that it was more challenging for schools to offer support to the improvement system.

The Panel had a discussion following this about the shift in focus to school improvement rather then school structural change. This also covered Academies and Multi-Academy Trusts and how they tackled school improvement.