Agenda item

Further to Minute No. 114, 8^th March 2007, a report was submitted by the Chief Executive of Education Leeds updating the Board on the progress which had been achieved in relation to the development of the Inclusive Learning Strategy, with particular reference being made to the second strategic objective concerning ‘the further development of specialist provision, including the role of the SILCs’.

Carol Jordan, Strategic Manager for Integrated Children’s Services, Andrew Hobbs, Team Leader – Organisational Change Team, and Bob Stott, No Child Left Behind Project Director, all of Education Leeds, were in attendance to answer Members’ questions.

Appended to the report for Members’ information was a revised version of the Leeds Inclusive Learning Strategy, a project brief for the further development of specialist provision, which included the role of the SILCs, and details of forthcoming discussion events which aimed to ensure that all relevant partners were signed up to the next stages of the strategy’s development.

Having received a summary of the key points detailed within the report, a question and answer session ensued. The key areas of debate were as follows:-

Issues Relating to Consultation and Communication

·  Members emphasised the importance of ensuring that effective consultation mechanisms were established with parents. In response, the Board learned that there would be more of an opportunity for parental involvement via the statutory assessment process, which was in addition to the specific consultation events being organised and the recruitment of Parent Support Advisors;

·  Having discussed the forthcoming market place event which had been organised by North West SILC Parents’ Forum, Scrutiny Board Members were encouraged to support and attend the event;

·  Members reiterated the need to ensure that young people from all backgrounds, including the black and minority ethnic (BME) and traveller communities, were involved in any consultation exercises which took place in relation to the Inclusive Learning Strategy.

General Observations

·  The Board received an update on the recent progress which had been made in relation to the provision of services delivered by SILCs in Leeds;

·  Following Members’ questions, the Board learned of the actions being taken to ensure that appropriate provision for those individuals with more complex educational needs was being delivered. Members noted that this included the formation of a new central team, which would enable the processes involved in monitoring an individual’s achievement to be developed. Having discussed the tracking system currently in operation, Members learned that as part of the strategy, further training on the current tracking system was to be provided to members of staff;

·  The Board discussed the apparent confusion surrounding the number of pupils attending SILCs;

·  The Board emphasised that in addition to academic outcomes being tracked, the quality of teaching also needed to be monitored, with reference being made to both a lack of specialist teachers and the number of Teaching Assistants in mainstream education;

·  Members sought clarification on several of the key performance indicators detailed within the report.

RESOLVED –

(a). That the report, and information appended to the report, including the revised Inclusive Learning Strategy, be noted;

(b). That Members’ comments relating to the Inclusive Learning Strategy be noted.