Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development advising Members of a verbal presentation to be given regarding the Leeds Education Challenge

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report advising Members of a verbal presentation to be given regarding the Leeds Education Challenge which was an ambitious city – wide campaign to accelerate improvement in learning outcomes for 180, 000 children and young people.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

-  Councillor J Blake, Executive Board Member

-  Paul Brennan, Deputy Director – Learning, Skills and Universal Services, Children’s Services

-  Simon Flowers, Headteacher (Carr Manor)

-  Sarah Rutty, Headteacher (Bankside)

At the request of the Chair, Paul Brennan, Deputy Director – Learning, Skills and Universal Services, Children’s Services gave a brief presentation regarding the Leeds Education Challenge which covered the following specific areas:-

• Realigning resources
• Developing a school led improvement strategy
• Ensuring equality
• Promoting challenge, partnership and innovation

At the conclusion of the presentation, detailed discussion ensued on the key areas.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• clarification of how the department were addressing the drop in levels in relation to Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

(The Deputy Director – Learning, Skills and Universal Services, Children’s Services responded and confirmed that a dialogue was being undertaken on this issue with individual schools. He made specific reference to a Governing Conference entitled ‘ Landscape of Learning’ which was due to be held on 28^th June 2012 at 9.00am at Elland Road Football Ground where Chair’s of Governors would be invited to attend. The Conference was also open for all Board Members to attend. The Executive Board Member also briefed the meeting on the extensive work being undertaken around Governance arrangements and confirmed that the role of Governor was developing well with a consistent approach required throughout the city)

• the need for the Board to acknowledge that Governors had a duty in running the school
• clarification if the changes around Corporative Trust Schools and Academies would make a real difference for our children

(The Deputy Director – Learning, Skills and Universal Services, Children’s Services responded and informed the meeting that supporting standards of achievement was the key in this area and that Governors needed to be asked that question)

• clarification if any Academies had opted to ‘buy out’ of the Leeds Education Challenge
• concerns expressed that Early Year’s had not been referred to in  today’s presentation and that an urgent review of this issue was now required

(The Deputy Director – Learning, Skills and Universal Services, Children’s Services responded and informed the meeting that parts of the structure of Leeds Education Challenge did include reference to Early Years, especially around post 16 provision. The Executive Member confirmed that Early Year’s was crucial to the work being undertaken)

• concerns expressed over persistent absences and clarification of how the department would achieve the national average in time

(The Deputy Director – Learning, Skills and Universal Services, Children’s Services responded and informed the meeting that there had been a recent significant change in this area with Primary schools who were now achieving a position of 61^st in the national average tables)

• the need for the Board to acknowledge that leadership of schools was a key element with a requirement for Headteachers, Governors and parents leading the initiative, especially in BME communities
• concerns expressed around poor results in GCSE maths and English

(The Deputy Director – Learning, Skills and Universal Services, Children’s Services responded and outlined the procedures in place in relation training teachers and recruitment measures to support the changes. He also stipulated that achievement in Maths and English was a concern at all stages)

In concluding, the Chair thanked officers for an informative and helpful presentation which would form part of the discussions when considering the Board’s work programme.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be received and noted.

b)  That the presentation on Leeds Education Challenge be noted and welcomed.

(Councillor A Lamb left the meeting at 11.25am at the conclusion of the above item)