Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

The report provides an opportunity to define, refine and reorganise our thinking and our approach to ensure that we have a school system which is fit for purpose, sustainable, able to respond to the needs of children in our borough and meet the requirements of the current national policy agenda.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1) Agree the Schools Strategy outlined in Appendix One of this reporting, noting the 6 priorities identified in it.

(2) Agree the success measures identified in the Strategy and agree that an annual update will be provided on its delivery

Officer contact: Tim Bowman on 07977 661073 or email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed Schools Strategy that provided an opportunity to define, refine and reorganise thinking and approach to ensure that Stockport had a school system which was fit for purpose, sustainable, able to respond to the needs of children in our borough and met the requirements of the current national policy agenda.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Schools Strategy outlined in Appendix One of this report be agreed, noting the 6 priorities identified in it.

(2) That the success measures identified in the Strategy be agreed and that an annual update be provided on its delivery.

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Work and Skills.

The report provides an opportunity to define, refine and reorganise our thinking and our approach to ensure that we have a school system which is fit for purpose, sustainable, able to respond to the needs of children in our borough and meet the requirements of the current national policy agenda.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review and comment on: -

a)    the Schools Strategy outlined in Appendix One of this reporting, noting the 6 priorities identified in it; and

b)    the success measures identified in the Strategy and endorse that an annual update will be provided on its delivery.

Officer contact: Carolyn Anderson | carolyn.anderson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Education, Work and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to an opportunity to define, refine and reorganise our thinking and our approach to ensure that we have a school system which is fit for purpose, sustainable, able to respond to the needs of children in our borough and meet the requirements of the current national policy agenda.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Main Report

·         Members enquired about the challenges with SEND and the proposal for Hazel Grove relating to neurodiversity needs. In response, it was stated that the Free School will be open to all with places being commissioned for those with SEND needs.

·         Members welcomed the report and clarification was sought on whether it has been communicated with partners and schools. It was noted that the strategy has been communicated with partners and local schools and there has been ongoing discussions.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the responsibilities of the Academies and those that are failing. In response, it was commented that in the first instance it would be the DfE in terms of Ofsted, but the local authority would have responsibility for the building if that failed.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the growing number of children experiencing fixed term (FTE) and permanent exclusions (PE). It was stated that following Covid, the increase continues in FTE and PE but there has been a lot of work going into monitoring and bringing those figures down. It was stated that the Exclusion data will be provided to the Committee following the meeting.

·         Members enquired about the inclusions policies and pathways for learning post-14. In response, it was stated that the offer to children was inclusive for all children and that is why the strategy has been produced to develop and create the partnerships and develop Stockport Family further through the strategy.

·         Clarification was asked about the current state of the Stockport Schools and their Academy status. It was stated that the details would be provided to the Committee following the meeting.

Appendix One – Draft Stockport Schools Strategy 2023-2028

·         Clarification was sought relating to the Local Multi-Academy Trusts. In response, it was stated that it meant a number of Multi-Academy Trusts (MAT) based in Stockport. This was important that Local Academies were part of the Stockport Schools ethos and had the Stockport children’s best interests at the heart of what they did and the progress.

·         The Co-opted Member enquired about the number of Academies in Stockport and the capacity and resource to become part of the MAT. In response, it was stated that there was no timescales to do it quickly, but to do it properly and working with all partners to grow the Academies and develop new capacity.

·         It was stated that to ensure there was the best deal for Stockport children, children with SEND category are less likely to need additional support. There were around 2,500 children with EHCP and 8,000 children on free school children. Another 2,000 children were on the edge of free school meals out of a total of 40k children in Stockport schools.

·         It was noted that the intention was to focus on the positive outcomes for the children of Stockport and there will be changes to reflect the views of Scrutiny before it goes to Cabinet and it was not intended to mask the details in the draft report.

Appendix Two – Data and Performance

No questions.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Director of Education provide further details to the Committee relating to Exclusion data and the current state of the Stockport Schools and their Academy status (Primary and Secondary).