Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies were noted from Cllr Edgar, Cllr Bolton, Joanna West & Catherine Hobbs.

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 Westbrook noted that his sister was a teaching assistant in a Hampshire  school which had recently become an Academy.

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.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No Deputations were received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

Cllr Brooks shared an update on the health of Cllr Edgar & Cllr Bolton, noting that they are both making good progress. The Panel noted their best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery for them both.

Cllr Brooks went on to update the Panel on the work of the School Admissions team as national offer day for children moving from primary school to secondary school was on 1 March. For children joining school in Reception and for those moving from an infant school to a junior school offer day will be 16^th April.

The County Council sent just less than 14,000 offers out on 1 March.  For Hampshire’s families with children transferring from a primary to a secondary school, Cllr Brooks was pleased to advise that just over 92% were offered their first preference school and 98% were offered one of their three preferred schools. Although mindful of those children who did not get a school named by their parents in their application it must not be overlooked how helpful it is for children, families and schools for such a large proportion of Hampshire children to be getting ready to attend a preferred school. The admissions service and schools are supporting families who have made a late application or who might want to appeal the outcome of their application.

Cllr Brooks noted that it was anticipated that the outcome on 16^th April for primary admissions would be in line with previous years. Again Hampshire does very well in meeting parental preference and does better than both national and regional figures. The County Council’s provision of over 8,000 new school places since 2013 is a major factor in ensuring that the authority can continue to meet parental preference and supports the wider work of Children’s Services that allows children to access a good local school.

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

Members received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on the significance of a high quality curriculum. Members were told that the National Curriculum programme of study had recently been slim lined and made more challenging with a focus on what the government views as essential subject knowledge.

Further to this the Panel received a reminder of the statutory assessment reforms for KS1 and KS2, alongside the new, staggered GCSE reform.

A conversation in relation to the role of the Curriculum took place considering the desired outcomes for learners in Hampshire and the need to retain teachers. The role of Head teachers in leading the curriculum was also discussed.

In response to questions members found that;

• The National Curriculum is covered in Governor training.
• The current National Curriculum has been developed following a study of a high number of high performing areas internationally.
• The School determines their own curriculum, which includes the National Curriculum.
• OFSTED are aware of the effect of inspections on school curriculum and will recognise those schools that are in the process of a curriculum change.
• Finance and resources are providing more difficulties for this area.

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.