Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies were received from Georgina Mulhall.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputations were received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman noted that the Terms of Reference for the Panel had been updated shortly before his appointment and so he was not minded to consider them again following a request.

However, the Chairman invited members to write to him should they have issue with the new format which they would like to raise with him.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Elective Home Education.

The panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of Elective Home Education.

The panel heard that in Hampshire there are 1, 421 home education children as of March 2019. In addition to this are any children who have never started school and have been home educated from the start. It was noted that there are no official national figures for comparison.

The panel also heard that the Local Authority has no right of entry to these children homes or any enforced regular contact and that the average length of home education was eight months.

Recommendations: That the Education Advisory Panel note the contents of the presentation.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Fixed Term & Permanent Exclusions.

The panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of Fixed Term & Permanent Exclusions.

The panel heard that exclusions can only take place on disciplinary grounds where it is warranted. Figures are consistently low compared to the national average.

The panel received an overview of what Headteachers must take into account when considering an exclusion, including the child’s circumstances. This includes ensuring that ‘reasonable adjustments’ have been made regarding children with SEND.

In response to questions members found that;

·         Very rarely are pupils excluded more then once and all options are utilised to prevent this from happening.

·         Other options available to schools include internal moves such as a change to tutor group, managed moves to other schools, duel education with Education centres.

·         There is not evidence that exclusions take place in an effort to effect data or statistics in relation to examinations.

Recommendations: That the Education Advisory Panel note the contents of the presentation.

To receive a presentation from Clare de Sausmarez (Headteacher Alderwood School) providing a case study on ‘All Through’ education.

The panel received a presentation from Clare de Sausmarez (Headteacher – Alderwood School) providing a case study of ‘All Through’ Education.

The panel heard how the amalgamation of previous schools took place two years ago following prolonged poor outcomes in the Secondary school. Since the union of the schools, focus has been placed on teaching and learning and standards are seen to be improving as a result of curriculum planning across all school ages. This has allowed for cross phase work in various subjects and has introduced a higher level of accountability for the departments.

Since the merger, the school has seen lower staff turnaround and no longer relies on agency support.

In response to questions members found that;

·         The decision to merge was based on improving standards and not finance driven.

·         The merge does not result in risks being larger scale as there is more flexibility within the school’s structure to adjust to challenges.

Recommendations: That the Education Advisory Panel note the contents of the presentation.