Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which provides the Board with a briefing on the David Young Community Academy, in relation to how it fits into the provision of children’s services in Leeds

  The Board received a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which sought to brief Members on the David Young Community Academy, and how it fitted into the provision of children’s services in Leeds.

  Appended to the report was a briefing paper on the issue, which had been submitted by Education Leeds in consultation with the Principal of the Academy.

  Pat Toner, Strategic Manager, Human Resources, Education Leeds, was in attendance to present the briefing paper and answer Members’ questions.

  Following a brief summary of the information provided, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

  Attendance Levels and Permanent Exclusions

·  Members referred to the number of young people who had been permanently excluded from the Academy, made enquiries into the reasons for such permanent exclusions, and sought information on the destinations of those young people. In response, it was emphasised that the Academy had worked closely with the local authority on any issues relating to exclusion, and that any permanent exclusions had been for serious offences. The Board was also advised that the destinations of the permanently excluded individuals and the grounds for such exclusions would be submitted to the Board;

·  The Board acknowledged the serious nature of the offences which had led to the permanent exclusions at the Academy, and emphasised the need for the local authority to make appropriate provision for such individuals;

·  Members considered the impact that the Academy’s approach towards vocational opportunities had on the Academy’s level of permanent exclusions and attendance.

  Timetabling and Curriculum Related Issues

·  Following a discussion which related to the opportunities available at the Academy for both academic and vocational pathways, Members made enquiries into the respective status held by the alternative pathways;

·  Having discussed the timetabling arrangements which had been established at the Academy, Members were advised that there was a strong expectation for pupils to attend ‘session three’ of the timetable, in which a range of activities were delivered.

  General Observations

·  The Board made enquiries into the levels of trade union support that employees of the Academy received, in addition to details of staff turnover at the Academy;

·  In response to Members’ enquiries, the Board was advised that details relating to the level of involvement that the relevant Extended Schools Co-ordinator had with the Academy would be submitted to the Board for information;

·  Members made enquiries into the arrangements which were in place to ensure that appropriate parental participation and engagement was undertaken by the Academy.

  In conclusion, the Board decided to schedule a further session into the work programme, with a representative of the Academy being invited to attend a future meeting of the Board, in order to provide further details.

  RESOLVED –

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

  (b). That the information requested by the Board be forwarded to Members for consideration;

  (c). That the issue of the David Young Community Academy, and how it fits into the provision of children’s services in Leeds, be rescheduled into the work programme, when a representative of the David Young Community Academy was able to attend, in order to provide further details on such matters.

  (Mrs S Knights declared a personal interest in relation to this item, due to her position on the North West SILC Parent’s Forum)

  (Councillor Renshaw left the meeting at 11.50 a.m., during the consideration of this item)