Agenda item

(To receive a report by Gavin Booth, Children's Services Manager – Education Strategy, which enables the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to consider updates relating to the Sector – Led approach to School Improvement)

Consideration was given to a report from Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services, which provided the Committee with updates relating to the Sector-Led approach to School Improvement.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting three Headteachers who attended to advise the Committee of their experiences on the new sector-led model.  The Headteachers who attended were: Simon Morley, Kirkby on Bain CE School; Andrew Stones, William Farr CE Comprehensive School; and Suzanne Scott, Ellison Boulters C E Academy.

The key points raised by the three Headteachers included:-

·         That the change in culture in schools could not be under estimated;  

·         That schools that had traditionally not worked together were pooling and sharing their resources, which had had a big impact on schools;

·         That training provided was bespoke to help everyone out;

·         That research was key as this informed good practice;

·         That when reviewing other schools, there was honesty and openness; and a willingness to help with any problems, by sharing experiences and knowledge; and as a result no-one now felt isolated.  It was highlighted that there was no longer a fear factor;

·         A suggestion was made that to move forward further, peer reviews across clusters would be useful to ensure further cross pollination; and

·         That most schools felt that there was more to come from working more collectively, as the experience so far had proven to be very positive.

Gavin Booth, Children's Services Manager – Education Strategy guided the Committee through the report explaining that the role of the Local Authority relating to school improvement had changed greatly over recent years, with the introduction of academies, multi-academy trusts and teaching schools.  It was highlighted that over the last 14 years, Lincolnshire had commissioned CfBT to deliver its statutory services and provide a traded offer of school improvement to its schools.  Now Lincolnshire schools could access a range of partners who together were supporting school improvement.  This method was echoed in the White Paper, which indicated that schools and groups of schools should have increased autonomy and responsibility for their own outcomes through working in a sector-led system.

The Committee was advised that the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership had grown over the last two years to a partnership of over 340 schools.  These schools had made a commitment to developing a sector-led approach to school improvement and support.  All schools had been engaged in the Peer Reviews, working together in clusters to improve outcomes for children.

It was reported that the Local Authority had been creative and proactive in its response when schools had found themselves in difficulty.  The Council had work with schools to find local solutions by brokering support from other local schools, liaising with the Regional Schools Commissioner to seek local sponsors when required and by utilising teaching schools National Leaders of Education or National Locality Leads to help with performance. The Committee was advised that Locality Leads were a small team of Educational Advisers who monitored the performance of schools; signposting schools to receive relevant support; and also worked alongside some of the Council's most vulnerable schools.

The Sector-Led approach was ensuring that expertise remained within the County; and that the continual focus was to find local solutions. It was highlighted to the Committee that Lincolnshire leaders were getting increasing recognition for their collaborative working; and Lincolnshire was delighted to announce that the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership (LLP) had been recently referenced in a school's Ofsted inspection as being a positive collaboration arrangement.

In conclusion, it was noted that Sector-Led improvement was becoming more embedded and was now acceptable as common practice.  It was highlighted that the LLP was compiling a strategic plan to provide further support schools moving forward.  A list of the key areas being considered was detailed on page 20 of the report presented.  Officers also advised that the LLP had developed a committee structure responsible for, and based upon delivering the broad aims of:-

·         Championing learners and leaders to shape their own futures;

·         Promoting successes, innovation and evidenced practice to benefit all;

·         Empowering schools to meet the needs of their communities; and

·         Challenging all schools to keep getting better.

Overall, the Local Authority would continue to champion effective collaborations, monitoring and intervening when necessary in the most vulnerable schools; and also developing cohesion amongst the different elements of the Sector-Led model.

During discussion, the following points were raised:-

·         Officers were thanked for the presentation and some members expressed their support for the model; particularly the sharing of ideas and the fact that there was now a lack of fear amongst the schools in sharing data; 

·         One question asked was whether there was more pressure on other staff when Headteachers were out of school.  The Committee noted that the pooling and sharing arrangements were actually helping teachers with their own personal development, which in turn was then helping the schools and its pupils.  One of the Headteachers present confirmed that the arrangement had not had an effect on the workload of their particular school leadership team.  Having the opportunity to visit other schools was a wonderful professional development opportunity; as something was always learnt from each school visited.  The gained knowledge was shared and lessons were learnt.  It was also noted that subject clusters were a way of sharing knowledge and experiences;

·         One member enquired as to what happened to schools that were not included.  It was noted that all schools were encouraged to engage.  Officers advised that the sector–led approach was working in other places in the Country and with partnership working the culture in Lincolnshire was changing; and that at the end of the day the overall effect was the impact the positive working was having on pupils in Lincolnshire.  Officers confirmed that the schools that were not involved would be written to regularly; advising them of the work being undertaken and offering them the opportunity to get involved;

·         The Committee was advised that lots of work was ongoing with regard to exclusions.  It was highlighted that officers were doing a great deal of work to support schools not to exclude pupils for a one off incident.  The outreach service helped schools by sharing experiences and knowledge and the service being provided by schools;

·         The Committee noted that the existing Regional School Commissioner was due to leave at the end of March; and

·         It was highlighted that with a collective voice for Lincolnshire Schools, meant that there was more power for Lincolnshire Nationally.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Sector-Led School Improvement Model – Report Update be received.

2.    That further six monthly updates on the model's implementation and development be received by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.