Agenda and minutes

- to consider the response to the DfES consultation

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Strategic Leader Resources and Information containing details of the DfES consultation on proposed changes to regulations and guidance in line with the content of its Five Year Strategy, particularly in relation to secondary schools having ‘a greater independence’.

The DfES’ Five Year Strategy document includes a section (Chapter 4) on Independent Specialist Schools with stated goals of more choice for parents/pupils and independence for schools.

The strategy is proposing a system where there will be (amongst other things):-

• Freedom for all secondary schools to own their land and buildings, manage their assets, employ their staff, improve their governing bodies, and forge partnerships with outside sponsors and educational foundations.
• More places in popular schools

In order to facilitate the above, the DfES is proposing changes to existing regulations and guidance.  There will be new regulations, which will amend and add to three existing sets of regulations:

      The Education (Change of Category of Maintained Schools)

      (England) Regulations 2000 (and subsequent amendments);

      The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2003;

      The Education (School Organisation Proposals) (England) Regulations 1999   (and subsequent amendments);

There will also be changes to the guidance, which the DfES issues (particularly to School Organisation Committees) in respect of school organisation proposals.

The report outlined the proposed changes and raised questions to be considered by the Council in response to the consultation.

There was significant disquiet at the changes proposed and it was agreed the Acting Strategic Leader should reply accordingly.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)          That a response be made to the DfES consultation, as outlined in Section 7 of the report now submitted.

(3)  That the report be forwarded to the School Organisation Committee for information.

- to approve the publishing of Statutory Notices containing proposals, as outlined

Further to Minute No. 89 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Education, Culture and Leisure Services held on 2^nd November 2004, consideration was given to a report of the Manager, School Organisation, Planning and Development which gave details of the outcome of the consultation process.

Meetings have taken place between officers and advisers of the Programme Area and local ward members, the relevant governing bodies, staff and parents.  Information given to consultees, together with minutes and notes of meetings was submitted as Appendix A and B.

It is proposed to make a prescribed alteration to Redscope Infant and JuniorSchools from April 2005.  RedscopeJunior School  will be closed and there will be a change in the age range of RedscopeInfant School from its existing 3-7 years to 3-11 years.

The School would have 420 places (R-Y6) with a nursery of up to 52 places (26 FTE).  This would mean an admission number of 60.

The report set out the major theme of the proposal, together with the principal advantages of the amalgamation.

Resolved:-  That statutory notices are published on 5^th January, 2005 containing the proposals as outlined in Section 1 of Appendix A now submitted.

- to receive the Performance Report and approve the Consolidated Action Plan

Consideration was given to a Performance Indicator report for 2004/05, which outlined performance at the end of the second quarter 2004/05 against targets, with comparisons against 2003/04 actuals and 2002/03 All England top quartile authorities.

Appendix B to the report provided an updated summary of information regarding action being taken to address performance in areas where there is a significant shortfall against targets.

Twenty-four Performance Indicators are currently reported quarterly for Education, Culture and Leisure Services.

In the second quarter it has been possible to project the year-end outturn performance of 21 ECALS indicators, which are then broken down into 31 component parts.

Members’ attention is drawn to the “Risk” column, representing the probability of these components meeting their 2004/05 published target.

Where risk is highlighted as “High” action plans to address performance are in place.  Appendix B – Performance Indicator Consolidated Action Plan provided a second quarter update against original action plans.

The report outlined a summary of the risk assessments.

A further report about the Programme Area’s response to complaints received would be considered early in 2005.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the performance indicators report be received.

(2)  That the Consolidated Action Plan be approved.

- to note progress made on Schools PFI Project

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Leader Resources and Information containing details of the PFI Project update: for the Autumn Term 2004.

The Schools PFI Project involves a partnership between the Council and Transform Schools (Rotherham) Ltd. The contract includes the rebuilding/refurbishment of 15 schools and their facilities management for a period of 30 years from 1^st April 2004.

By December 2006, there will be new schools for Coleridge, Ferham, Kimberworth, Maltby Crags Infant, Maltby Crags Junior, Meadowhall and Thornhill Primaries; and Winterhill, Wingfield and Wath Secondaries.

There will be significantly remodelled schools at Clifton, Thrybergh and Wickersley Secondaries; and East Dene and Wath Central Primaries.

Additionally, new key Young Persons’ Centres will be provided at Thornhill Primary and Wath Secondary; and significantly refurbished centres at Wingfield, Clifton, Thrybergh and WinterhillSecondary schools.

The appendix describes progress with the Construction Facilities Management and Building Learning Communities, the Not for Profit Company.

Resolved:-  That progress on the Schools PFI Project is noted.

- to consider the proposed responses to the consultation questions

Consideration was given to a report of the Strategic Leader School Improvement containing details of the findings, recommendations and consultation response on the Strategic Area Review of South Yorkshire 2004.

Strategic Area Reviews (StAR) are a key element of the Government strategy for reforming non-higher post-16 education and training.  It is the responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council South Yorkshire (LSC SY) to undertake this review in South Yorkshire.

The main purpose of the StAR is to make sure that the mix of education and training provision being supported by LSC SY meets the needs and improves the choices of learners, employers and the wider community.

LSC SY have, over the past year, been working with a number of key partners to examine current non-higher post 16 education and training delivery patterns to identify likely future demand and changes that will need to be made to ensure future delivery best meets the needs identified and improves the choices available.

This work has resulted in the publication of a draft report – Strategic Area Review of South Yorkshire 2004 – a consultation document.  The consultation is to be undertaken during November and December 2004 with a closing date of 31^st December 2004.

Appendix A to the report draws directly from the StAR consultation report and covers:

1.   Specific issues relating to Rotherham;

2.   Specific issues relating to the Dearne Valley Partnership

3.   General issues having implications for Rotherham not covered in (1) and (2) above

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That the proposed responses to the consultation questions, as contained in Appendix B now submitted, and their submission to LSC as the formal response from Rotherham Council, be agreed.

- to inform of the attainment in Rotherham Primary Schools in 2004

Consideration was given to a report of the Acting Principal School Improvement Adviser which gave details of attainment in Rotherham primary schools in 2004.

The report detailed assessment results in the following areas of the curriculum:-

            -     Foundation Stage

            -     Key Stage 1

            -     Key Stage 2

            -     1998-2003 Key Stage 2 Comparisons

            -     Floor Targets apply to English, mathematics and science

-          Key Stage 2 aggregate scores 1998-2004

(a)   Rotherham performance compared with England and local LEA’s

(b)   Statistical Neighbours LEA’s

(c)   Statistical Neighbour LEA’s – aggregate scores

An Improvement Action Plan, addressing the weakest areas of capability, has been compiled arising from the 2004 primary performance data.

A further report about the Key Stage 1 results would be submitted to a future meeting.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)                 That the emerging declining trends in Key Stage 1, be noted with concern, and the improvements in Key Stage 2, most particularly at L4+ be welcomed.

(3)  That all schools be encouraged to improve their results, and particularly those not currently meeting the DfES target of 65%.