Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report which gave an outline model of developments to address the current challenges in relation to ethnic minority achievement (EMA) in Rotherham.

Despite some significant, recent improvements, issues of underachievement among Rotherham’s EAL (English as an Additional Language) population are still evident.  Moreover, Rotherham is now host to a recent and growing population of new arrivals from other European Union countries whose needs are significantly different from the established British Asian community.

The model proposed in the report combines recommendations for a shift in strategy and practice and identifies opportunities to test new practice in an initial, limited pilot programme.

The proposed model is based on national best practice as exemplified in the Minority Ethnic Achievement Programme (MEAP) for advanced learners and the New Arrivals Excellence Programme (NAEP).  During 2007/08 the School Effectiveness Service has also researched practice in other Local Authorities (LA), notably Bradford, Sheffield and Kirklees.

The plan seeks to address the needs of New Arrivals into Rotherham as well as to “close the gap” with respect to underachievement of Advanced EAL learners.  It is focused on raising attainment and achievement for all young people with English as an additional language (EAL) by building capacity and sustainability in schools and the LA.

Following extensive consultation in early Autumn 2007 with the National Strategies, the Local Authority has responded to the significant and increasing challenges in relation to ethnic minority achievement.

In particular these are:-

·                 Ongoing under-achievement of advanced learners with English as an additional language, mainly of Pakistani heritage

·                 Increasing numbers of new arrivals from Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Czech and Slovakian, including Roma

·                 Current provision needing to respond to national best practice as outlined by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) in the New Arrivals Excellence Programme (NAEP) which states that “Access and inclusion are best achieved within a whole-school context where pupils are educated with their peers.”

·                 Recognising the need for greater coherence across the LA, particularly the Learning and Inclusion Departments within Children and Young People’s services, and increased expert capacity to address the full range of emerging issues

·                 Developing a sustainable model in which schools are expected to take responsibility for their own improvement in this area, (consistent with School Effectiveness practice in other areas) with appropriate LA support, especially early in periods of exceptional change and challenge

·                 Designing provision for new arrivals which increases the LA’s effectiveness in developing good race relations and promoting Community Cohesion (new duty on schools from 2007)

·                 Improving consistency of initial provision for New Arrivals

The proposal contained in the report sought to strengthen the work of the LA by ensuring the response is better co-ordinated and that monitoring, evaluation and review are integral to the work.  Further, the alignment of resources with schools in the “front line” of the development of this work, sought to ensure greater sustainability and flexibility.

It is proposed to:

·                 Increase the LA’s capacity to provide clear strategic leadership and expertise in this area by creating a team of specialist curriculum adviser, primary consultant and secondary consultant and the appointment of additional posts, through the remodelling of existing staff (subject to a review of the work of current staff in the Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Service)

·                 Support schools in taking responsibility for a sustainable approach to Ethnic Minority Achievement, from New Arrivals to Advanced Learners of English as an Additional Language, by developing hubs of effective practice in identified schools. This will be one primary school  and two secondary, one of which will focus on developing good practice for Advanced Learners and one for New Arrivals

·                 Use LA Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Service resources more strategically and increase LA capacity to raise achievement for learners with EAL by re-allocating some of the existing centrally funded resources from the  Welcome Centre to support Hub schools to:

                                  i.            develop their own capacity to meet the needs of EAL learners.

                                 ii.            develop outreach provision to improve performance in partner schools.

This will be a phased pilot from January 2009 with preparation work during Autumn 2008. The pilot will be formally evaluated, with external moderation by a Principal Adviser, Bradford LA.

·                 Ensure that monitoring, evaluation and review of provision and outcomes for young people with EAL is undertaken by senior LA officers and SIPs and that information generated leads to action.

The aim of the proposal is to build the capacity in each of the most exposed Schools so that staff teams in those Schools have the expertise to welcome and integrate the EU migrant children.

The meeting discussed a number of challenges involved.  These included mobility issues and the potential for any impact on formula funding to schools.

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

(2)         That the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning endorse the renewal of policy and practice in the context of the new challenges introduced by recent arrivals from other European Union countries.

(3)         That the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning continue to receive reports on the implications of New Arrivals both for the Borough and at national level.

(4)         That the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning continue to review, on a termly basis, the resource implications of New Arrivals, particularly in relation to the recruitment of First Language speakers.

(5)  That the report be forwarded to the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel.