Agenda item

(To receive a report from Martin Smith, Interim Assistant Director, Education, which invites the Committee to consider and comment on the Lincolnshire Local Authority School Performance for 2017/18)

Consideration was given to a report from Martin Smith, Interim Assistant Director of Education, which invited the Committee to consider and comment on Lincolnshire Local Authority School Performance for 2017/18.

Attached to the report for the Committee to consider were the following Appendices:-

·         Appendix A – Key Number Report for 2018;

·         Appendix B – Free School Meal Closing the Gap Report; and

·         Appendix C – Key Stage 2 LEAP and LAMP Disadvantaged FSM Eligible Outcomes for 2017/18.

In guiding the Committee through the report, the Interim Director of Education advised that the report presented provided an analysis of the current performance within the Lincolnshire schools system.  It was noted that the data shared used validated figures for Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4.

It was highlighted that as of 31 August 2018, Lincolnshire had 85% of schools rated as good or better.  It was noted that Lincolnshire remained above the National average of 84.5%.

The Committee was advised that peer review continued to be utilised to support school improvement; and that over 50 schools had added their peer review outcomes to the database in addition to the entries from the academic year 2017/18.

Details of the strengths and areas for improvements within schools were shown at the top of page 18 of the report.

The report made reference to the following key stages:-

·         Early Years (Aged 5)

·         Phonics Screening Check (Aged 6)

·         Key Stage 1 (Aged 7)

·         Key Stage 2 (Aged 11)

·         Key Stage 4 (Aged 16)

In conclusion, the Committee was advised that the Local Authority, the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership and Lincolnshire Teaching Schools Together were aware of the outcomes and were taking the necessary action to support improvement in standards within the sector led model.  Details of the core offer to all settings in Lincolnshire; the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership Mobilise programme; and the Lincolnshire Teaching Schools Together supported delivery were shown on pages 20/21 of the report.  It was highlighted that there were approximately 220 schools engaging with Mobilise.

It was highlighted further that the priority was to address the gap between Lincolnshire and national attainment figures in reading, writing and mathematics, and that this was the continued focus of the sector led model.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following comments:-

·         The local position – The Committee was advised that the local authority in conjunction with it partners were taking action to support improvement in standards within the sector led model and that a strategic plan had been put in place.  It was highlighted that the strength of partnerships had benefitted Lincolnshire by providing all schools with the opportunity to engage in professional development and school improvement activity.  The evidence based approach to school improvement was a long term project, which was beginning to show reward.  It was highlighted further that Lincolnshire was quite unique; as not all areas were as fortunate to have such a collaborative approach to school improvement.  The Committee was advised that the biggest difference for those areas doing well was that they were better funded.  The Committee noted that lobbying groups had been set up who were lobbying the government for better funding for Lincolnshire.  The Committee noted further that there had not been a lot of engagement from church schools;

·         Where Academies were not performing well - Reassurance was given that in a situation where there was concern relating to improvement, the Council would have a meeting with the school; if a school refused to engage with the Council, then the Regional School Commissioner would be engaged if it was an Academy Trust; otherwise OFSTED would be engaged as deemed necessary.  The Committee was advised that the Council had a good relationship with most schools.  The Committee members were encouraged to visit their local schools; as most schools would welcome the visit;

·         Definition of LEAP, LAMP and LENS.  The Committee was advised that LEAP was the Lincolnshire English Achievement Project; LAMP was the Lincolnshire Attainment in Maths Project; and LENS was the Lincolnshire Educational Needs Support Project;

·         The effect of 38 new Head teachers coming into post.  Confirmation was given that most brand new Head teachers were taking up positions in smaller schools.  Once Head teachers had gained experience, they would then move onto a larger school.  The Committee was advised that there was an induction programme for all schools; and that maintained schools received enhanced support through the de-delegation budget.  It was highlighted that work with governors also formed part of the induction programme;

·         A question was advised as to whether there was a network to help Lincolnshire get better funding for education in Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that there was a Workless pressure group; as well as a group of Head teachers.  It was noted that the local authority had written to all schools to encourage them to write to their local MP, as well as the Minister for Education;

·         Monitoring of trends – The Committee noted that the Appendices to the report provided a breakdown of data for the previous three years; and from this data trends would be able to be identified;

·         Early Years Foundation Stage – Some concern was raised that the good level of development had reduced in 2018; dropping below the national average by 2.4%.  Reassurance was given that Early Years had been brought back in-house and that there was a strategy for improvement.  Officers offered to bring back the Early Years Strategy to a future meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee for further consideration later in the year.  Some concern was expressed that it was important to get a balance between meeting the needs of young people, rather than just measuring for measuring sake;

·         Some concern was expressed to the fact that some of the C of E Schools had not been able to gain sponsorship.  The Committee was advised that the Executive Councillor had written to the Education Secretary and the Executive Director for Children's Services had been in contact with the Regional Schools Commissioner; and that a meeting had been held with the Bishop.  It was highlighted that everything was being done that could be done; and

·         Progress 8 – Officers advised that Progress 8 was a measure of the progress children made between the end of primary school and the end of secondary school.  It was noted that it was designed to encourage good quality teaching across a broad curriculum.  Officers agreed to send some data out to members of the Committee.  Some reference was also made to the fact that grammar schools did not always provide a broad spectrum of activity.  One member advised that non- selective schools were doing well, despite losing their more academic students to grammar schools.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Lincolnshire Local Authority School Performance report for 2017/18 be received.

2.    That consideration be given to the Early Years Strategy at a future meeting.