Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides an update on the performance and activity of Stockport

Continuing Education Service over the academic year August 2017 to July

2018, including an update on the outcome of the OfSTED inspection of the

Service.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the

report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on Tel: 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the performance and activity of Stockport Continuing Education Service over the academic year August  2017 to July 2018, including an update on the outcome of the OFSTED inspection of the Service. OFSTED had confirmed that the Service had been rated good in all aspects, compared to the judgement of ‘requires improvement’ in May 2016.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The percentage pass rate for the whole service was identical in 2016/17 and 2017/18. Partly through the work of the Improvement Board, the aim had been to assist more disadvantaged learners.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report provides an update on the performance and activity of Stockport

Continuing Education Service over the academic year August 2017 to July

2018, including an update on the outcome of the OfSTED inspection of the

Service.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and comment on the

report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on Tel: 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

The Interim Director for Education submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the performance and activity of Stockport Continuing Education Service over the academic year August 2017 to July 2018, including an update on the outcome of the Ofsted inspection of the Service.

The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) attended the meeting and answered questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Concerns had been raised in the Ofsted inspection in relation to the quality of the accommodation.  In response it was stated that feedback from learners had been that that the learning environment provided was one which they themselves wanted as it provided a quiet, unobtrusive space to learn which did not serve to intimidate potential learners who may not have had a positive experience of education in the past.

·         A discussion took place in relation to the funding arrangements for the Continuing Education Service, and in particular that this was targeted at those who were in receipt of an out of work benefit and seeking employment.  A pilot project was currently underway where those in work but earning less than £15,000 per annum could access courses in recognition of the fact those in low paid employment needed further skills to access better paid employment.

·         The devolution of further education funding to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority had the potential to offer risks as well as benefits, and it was important that Stockport was able to attract appropriate levels of resources.

·         It was positive to note that the retention rate of learners was high.  It was stated that work had taken place to improve the initial assessment of learners to be able to more appropriately match the content of the courses to the ability of the students to ensure that they did not become disillusioned and to provide some early successes. 

·         Staff recruitment remained an issue as it was difficult to attract candidates and there was a relatively flat staffing structure which meant that there was limited scope for job progression.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.