Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies were received for Jeff Williams, Director of Education at the Winchester and Portsmouth Diocese.

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.

Cllr Edgar noted that he was a life member of the National Association of Headteachers.

Cllr Westbrook noted that his sister was a teaching assistant in a Hampshire maintained school.

Cllr Stallard noted that she was in receipt of a Teacher’s pension.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed, however it was noted that in relation to Item 6, the Terms of Reference for the Panel would be kept under review.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman started his announcements by commenting on the reports that morning from Justine Greening MP, Education Secretary in relation to disadvantaged pupils. The Chairman noted that this was an area that Hampshire was doing well in and the Panel would hear an example of this further down the agenda.

Following this, the Chairman commented on a recent report concerning the ‘Headteacher Recruitment Crisis’ which he considered to be unfair to Hampshire’s situation. The Chairman said that while there were difficulties in recruitment and retention of teachers and senior roles no school has been let down in relation to Leadership and there is not a crisis in his view. This led to a discussion around teacher recruitment and the need to look at it creatively and improve resilience.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services to provide an overview on pupil attainment in 2017 in relation to Early years, Primary & Secondary education.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of pupil attainment in 2017 in relation to Early years, Primary & Secondary education.

The Panel heard that in relation to Early Years and Foundation the County was outperforming against similar councils and nationally. This was also the case for KS2 and Reading, Writing and Mathematics. However, due to the changing assessment formats at KS4 it is hard to compare recent years, but it does appear that the County has continued to outperform in this area as well.

In answer to questions members heard that;

·         There are concerns in relation to Employers ability to understand the new grading system and it seems to be designed for School measures instead of individuals.

·         There has not been enough time to gage if all through Schools produce better results but this is an area that can be looked at by the Panel in the future.

Resolved: That the Education Advisory Panel note the 2017 attainment figures for Early Years, Primary and Secondary schools.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services to provide an overview of the work done to improve outcomes of disadvantaged pupils in Rushmoor and how these successes can be replicated elsewhere.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to the work done to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in Rushmoor.

The Panel heard how the improvement was achieved through ‘The Aldershot Excellence Project’ which was a collaboration of Primary Schools initiated by the Local Authority but with ownership from School Leaders. Focus on the key strands that under-pin improvement in relation to improving teaching and learning alongside strong assessment and identification of gaps was identified as essential for the developments.

In answer to questions members heard that;

• That there has been an improvement in factors around the child’s home to help with the attendance improvement. This has mainly been in relation to parental commitment and because the children want to go to school.
• That the Supporting (Troubled) Families have been involved alongside other partnership working to achieve these improvements.

Resolved: That the Education Advisory Panel note the work done to improve educational attainment for disadvantaged pupils in Rushmoor.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services to provide an analysis of the significance of a high quality curriculum.

In order to give this item the time that it required the Panel resolved to defer this item to the next meeting.