Agenda item

School Improvement Offer - Tackling School Performance & Closing the Gap

(To receive a report which sets out the Lincolnshire School Improvement Offer for 2014-2015 and details the roles of both Lincolnshire County Council and CfBT in the delivery of that offer)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which set out the Lincolnshire School Improvement Offer for 2014-15 and detailed the role of both Lincolnshire County Council and CfBT in the delivery of that offer.

 

Members were advised that there were a lot of changes taking place within the world of education, and negotiations were underway to determine a model of sector led improvement for Lincolnshire.  It was noted that CfBT was extremely supportive of the changes and through its core contract with LCC, continued to be the key strategic partner for the delivery of school improvement in Lincolnshire.

 

The Committee was provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report, and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         There were 15-25 schools and 10-15 academies on average per year which were causing concern;

·         It was queried how problems were able to develop in schools so they caused concern, as education advisors made regular visits and whether there was anything that the authority could do to be more pro-active?  Members were assured that there were internal mechanisms in place for ensuring that the work of the education advisors was robust.  Some examples of why problems arose could include members of staff covering for long term illness, or if a head teacher left and there were problems finding a replacement;

·         If a school was starting to experience difficulties, CfBT would investigate and support the school before they became serious problems;

·         It was commented that there had been a lot of negative publicity regarding the primary school in Middle Rasen, and it was queried whether there were any areas for improvement.  The Committee was informed that this was the school media reported that Ofsted inspectors had criticised and indicated that the school could not be judged as outstanding  as the children had had limited experience of children from other cultures and backgrounds.  This reporting implied that the school would never be judged as outstanding.  The Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health Services, Children's Services would be writing to Ofsted to raise concerns over this issue;

·         Members commented that Middle Rasen Primary School was considered locally to be an excellent school with an excellent head teacher. It was suggested that Ofsted was reacting to issues in other parts of the country.  The school had a strong RE curriculum, where the children had the opportunity to understand and study other religions and cultures;

·         It was noted that Supplementary schools were not part of the CfBT contract;

·         From the Diocese perspective, they found the work of CfBT very good, and it was commented that they were always very quick to engage the Diocese if there was a church school in trouble.  The collaboration between CfBT and the local authority was good and schools were supported;

·         It was confirmed that the Closing the Gap conference would be taking place on 8 January 2015, and would be held at the Epic Centre.

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the School Improvement Offer, and the respective roles of        Lincolnshire County Council and CfBT within the delivery of the offer be       noted.

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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