This is a default template, your custom branding appears to be missing.
The custom branding should be at https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/global/moderngov/pcc/pcc_template if you cannot load this page please contact your IT.

Technical Error: Error: The underlying connection was closed: The connection was closed unexpectedly.

Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room B - Civic Offices. View directions

Contact: Lisa Gallacher 02392 834056  Email: lisa.gallacher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Urszula Topp, Roman Catholic diocese representative. 

 

Councillor Young advised that as Cllr J Ferrett had resigned from the Labour party earlier this week, the Labour group spokesperson position was vacant until the group appointed a new spokesperson.

2.

Declarations of interests

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Development of the Portsmouth Education Partnership and the transition to a schools led, self-improving system pdf icon PDF 145 KB

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to inform the Education Advisory Board about:

 

·                the changing educational landscape and implications for Portsmouth

·                proposals to establish an Education Partnership for Portsmouth

·                the approach the council is now taking with regard to school improvement and academisation

·                a summary of the provisional outcomes for 2015/16


It is recommended that the Education Advisory Board note:

 

a)  The progress that has been made to establish the Portsmouth Education Partnership

b)  The approach the council is taking with regard to school improvement and academisation

c)  The provisional educational outcomes for 2015/16

d)  That a report will be taken to the next meeting of the Education Advisory Board to provide an update on all of the above and to include details of a new education strategy for the City.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Education Advisory Board and circulated the terms of reference to everyone as a reminder of the Board's purpose.  He explained that this Board replaced the former Schools Standards and Improvement Group and covers all areas of education from early years to post 16.  It gives the opportunity for performance of the education department to be scrutinised to support the progression of children and young people in Portsmouth. The terms of reference would be reviewed in 3-4 meetings' time.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

 

Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director Children's Services - Education summarised each section of the report and members of the Board had the opportunity to ask questions after every section. 

 

Background

Mike advised that there had been a significant change over the last 6 months.  The White Paper 'Educational Excellence Everywhere' set out the Government's commitment to a school led, self-improving system where every school would become an academy by 2022 and it provided clarity on the LA's role.  However, more recently there has been a softening of the policy so that instead of a blanket academy conversion, a conversion would only be forced where the Local Authority (LA) is deemed not to be meeting the minimum performance threshold across its schools or where it is clear the LA cannot viably support its remaining schools because a critical mass of schools in that area has converted.   Due to the recent changes in Government, the Education for All Bill has been delayed. In the meantime a Green Paper has been issued regarding a consultation on proposals for selective (grammar) schools, removing the 50% cap on faith based admissions for new faith schools and giving the independent sector and HE a stronger role in sponsoring and supporting state schools. 

 

Ofsted inspection

An Ofsted inspection of the LA's arrangements for school improvement took place in February 2016, which whilst recognising the improvements that have been made in terms of education standards (the fact that the majority of schools are judged by Ofsted to be good or better), nevertheless listed that outcomes for children and young people were still behind the national average. Following this, the council issued an action plan. The action plan addresses 8 key areas for improvements which were summarised.

 

Portsmouth Education Partnership

Mike advised that in recognition of the changing education landscape and the Ofsted inspection in February, discussions were held with headteachers, governors and MAT leaders about collective actions to address common issues facing all schools / academies in Portsmouth under the umbrella of a Partnership.  The proposals would seek to build on existing collaboration and prevent the potential fragmentation of the system through academisation. Initial feedback during the summer indicated a strong appetite for this proposal.  A formal consultation was launched on 5 September which will run until 21 October. Whilst the consultation has been running, partners have been moving quickly with the proposals.  Shadow arrangements have been put in place including a shadow Strategic Board and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Dates of Future Meetings

Members to discuss and agree when to hold the next meeting.

Minutes:

Officers advised that the following items would be on the agenda for the next meeting:

·         Update on progress of the Portsmouth Education Partnership.

·         Outline of the new education strategy, to be identified through the PEP.

·         Ofsted inspections - update on which schools have been inspected and the results of these inspections.

 

Officers advised that the next meeting would be held in late January/early February.  After a brief discussion it was agreed to move the meeting time to 4pm and the Local Democracy Officer would look for a suitable date in consultation with the Chair, which would be circulated to the members of the Group in due course.

 

Post meeting note - the next meeting would take place on Thursday 2 February at 4pm in Conference Room A, Second Floor, Civic Offices.