Agenda item

To receive information as part of the Board’s inquiry into Raising Educational Standards in Leeds – Learning Improvement

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented evidence as part of the Board’s inquiry into Raising Educational Standards in Leeds, Learning Improvement.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  The Draft Annual Standards Report 2013/14

-   Learning Outcomes Dashboards

-  Primary Schools Below Floor 2014

-  Secondary Schools Below Floor 2014.

The following representatives attended the meeting:

-  Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Paul Brennan, Deputy Director of Children’s Services (Learning)

-  Sara Harris, Area Lead (Primary Learning Improvement)

-  Kim Porter, Area Lead (Primary Learning Improvement)

-  Anne Fell, Area Lead (Primary Learning Improvement)

-  Kevin Paynes, Leadership and Management Lead (Secondary)

-  Andrew Eastwood, Headteacher Fountain Primary School

-  Jancis Andrew, Headteacher Virtual School

-  Ian Stokes, Performance Programme Manager.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The potential impact of a change in government on educational policy.

·  A brief history of the changes in attainment since education was brought back under the control of Leeds City Council, acknowledging the low base line and the progress made since that time.

·  That 87.4% of primary schools in Leeds are good or outstanding and 71% of secondary schools are good or outstanding.

·   The challenges to improve progress and catch up with national and core city statistics, acknowledging that may take a number of years,  focusing on the following key priorities:

Ø  Achievement in the city and narrowing the gap

Ø  Social emotional mental health and behavioural issues

Ø  Raising the quality of secondary provision

Ø  Sufficiency of good and outstanding learning places in EYFS and post 16

Ø  Managing an increasingly challenging budget

·  The need for a whole city approach to narrowing the gap to focus on social and economic situations that create barriers to learning.

·  Increased focus on exam based qualifications and a reduction in vocational based qualifications which could disadvantage some children.

·  The tangible impact of the Learning Improvement Service on the data provided and Ofsted inspection judgements.

·  A life ready for learning, the additional focus of the Children and Young Peoples Plan refresh, best start strategy, the impact of poverty and free school meals.

·  The use of pupil premium and families first support to enhance outcomes for vulnerable children. 

The Chair thanked representatives for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

The Scrutiny Board (Children and Families):

a)  Supports the new format and contents of the draft Annual Standards Report

b)  Confirms that the above issues be incorporated into the Board’s final inquiry report.

(Councillor F Venner joined the meeting at 10.00am during this item. Councillor R Grahame joined the meeting at 10.35am and left at the conclusion of this item at 11.10am.)