Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works & Skills.

The report provides details relating to the annual report of the Stockport Virtual School and includes the priorities of both the Stockport Virtual School and the Virtual School Headteacher which had been informed by a variety of statutory and non-statutory guidance.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Amanda Aylward | Amanda.aylward@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Education, Works & Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the annual report of the Stockport Virtual School and includes the priorities of both the Stockport Virtual School and the Virtual School Headteacher which had been informed by a variety of statutory and non-statutory guidance.

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:-

·       Members enquired about the persistent absences data and the detail that sat behind it. In response, it was stated that the figures were still too high and the challenges and issues faced by the young people were understood and it was being addressed through the relevant team.

·       It was noted that the early years pupil premium goes directly to the provisions where the children were and the council did not have oversight of it.

·       Clarification was sought regarding ‘over-learning’. It was noted that if children were performing well then there would be an opportunity to bank some work relating to periods of absence or trauma and or a family crisis. So it is almost maximising the opportunity to bank ‘good periods of work’ for periods when things don’t go too well and was an ‘over-learning’ technique.

·       PEPS was described as a ‘Personal Education Plan’ that was a legal document for children in care highlighting the provisions received in school.

·       Members welcomed the period and complimented the team on the layout of the report and the executive summary.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.