Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which details the evidence to be considered as part of the second formal session of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry into the implications of Trust Schools for the Local Authority

Further to Minute No. 104, 8^th February 2007, a report was submitted by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which detailed the information to be considered as part of the second formal session of the Board’s inquiry into the Implications of Trust Schools ion Leeds.

Appended to the report for Members’ information were the agreed terms of reference for the Scrutiny Board inquiry, in addition to a range of information from Children Leeds, the Schools Commissioner, Department for Education and Skills, Garforth Community College, Trinity and All Saints College, Temple Moor High School Science College and David Young Community Academy.

Carol Gray, representing the Schools Commissioner, Department for Education and Skills, Dirk Gilleard, Deputy Chief Executive, Education Leeds, Richard Smith, Team Leader, Governor Support, Education Leeds, Keith Burton, Deputy Director of Children’s Services, Commissioning and Partnerships, Paul Edwards, Head Teacher, Garforth Community College, Ian Garforth, Chair of Governors, Garforth Community College, Ros McMullen, Principal, David Young Academy, Martin Fleetwood, Principal, Temple Moor High School Science College and Tony Sheppard, Chair of Governors, TempleMoor High School Science College, were all in attendance to answer Members’ questions and submit evidence to the Board.

Having received a summary of the information submitted on behalf of the Director of Children’s Services, representatives of the Schools Commissioner, Garforth Community College, David Young Academy, Temple Moor High School Science College and Education Leeds all submitted their views in relation to the impact that the introduction of Trust Schools could have in Leeds.

A question and answer session concerning the evidence which had been submitted then followed. The main areas of debate were:-

·  Members made enquiries into the impact on a school if the school’s Trust status was terminated;

·  Having raised concerns relating to the possible impact that the admissions policies of Trust Schools could have upon children with learning difficulties and the extent to which the Local Authority would have control over such policies, Members noted that Trust Schools would be bound by the School Admissions Code;

·  Clarification was sought on several issues including the provision of safeguards relating to the establishment of Trust Schools, the number of Trust School pilots which were located ininner city areas, the level of restrictions which would be placed upon those looking to become partners of Trust Schools and how such partners would be restricted from promoting their own financial interests. In response the Board was advised of the legislative provisions for such concerns, and in relation to the number of Trust Schools located in inner city areas, Members noted that further information on this issue would be provided;

·  Members sought further information on the barriers to cooperation which existed in the current model of education provision and enquired how the introduction of Trust Schools would improve provision in the future;

·  The Board then discussed the proposed involvement of the Learning and Skills Council and Primary Care Trust in the Garforth Trust School pilot and made enquiries into the impact that such involvement would have upon other schools in the area;

·  The flexibility of contracts for schools built via the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programmes and whether such schools had the potential to acquire Trust status in the future;

·  Members asked to what extent the terms and conditions of staff working in Trust Schools would be protected;

·  Members raised concerns over the implications that the potential establishment of two Trusts in East Leeds would have upon other schools in the area;

·  In response to Members’ enquiries relating to the sale of land and assets by a Trust School, Members were advised that although the regular restrictions still applied, the sale of land and assets would be permitted so long as the appropriate consultation was undertaken with the school’s governing body and that any revenue received was reinvested back into the school;

·  Members then made enquiries into the timescales relating to the finalisation of relevant guidance concerning Trust Schools.

RESOLVED –

(a). That the report and information appended to the report be noted;

(b). That the issues raised during the second formal session of the Board’s inquiry into the Implications of Trust Schools for the Local Authority be incorporated into the draft version of the Board’s final report.

(Mr C Macpherson, Mrs S Knights, Councillor Renshaw, Councillor Harrison, Ms T Kayani, Councillor Chapman and Councillor Feldman left the meeting at

11.50 a.m., 12.05 p.m., 12.10 p.m., 12.25 p.m., 12.30 p.m., 12.35 p.m. and

12.40 p.m. respectively)