Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services regarding an update on the Scrutiny Board’s consideration of the Post-16 Meadows Park Partnership linked to the wider strategic review of Post-16 education in Leeds.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that provided an update on the Scrutiny Board’s consideration of the Post-16 Meadows Park Partnership linked to the wider strategic review of Post-16 education in Leeds.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children and Families

-  Steve Walker, Director of Children and Families

-  Phil Mellen, Deputy Director for Learning

-  Val Waite, Head of Learning Inclusion

In introducing this item, the Chair highlighted that in September 2019, the Board expressed a wish to undertake further scrutiny to better understand the rationale associated with the decision made by the NW SILC (Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre) and Benton Park School to dissolve the Post-16 element of the Meadows Park partnership arrangement. The Chair further explained that, in view of any broader implications, the Board had agreed to consider this matter within the context of reviewing the city’s Post-16 education offer for individuals with SEND.  Linked to this, the Board would be feeding into and closely monitoring the forthcoming strategic review of Post-16 education in Leeds, which will include a focus on vulnerable learners and young people with SEND. 

The Chair highlighted that a working group meeting of the Scrutiny Board had been held on 14^th January 2020 with representatives from the Meadows Park Partnership and also the Children and Families Directorate.  At this point, the Chair acknowledged that some of the families affected by the decision to dissolve the Post-16 element of the Meadows Park partnership were pursuing their own complaint and therefore made the clear distinction regarding the role of the Scrutiny Board, which is to determine whether there are any broader issues surrounding this decision that warrant attention as part of the strategic review into Post-16 education provision.

The Chair then invited those Board Members present at the working group meeting to provide feedback to the full Scrutiny Board, along with the Head of Learning Inclusion who was also present at the working group meeting.

The following key issues were raised during the Board’s discussion:

·  The Board discussed the distinction between partnership provision and resource provision.  It was noted that there are no legal contracts underlining any partnership arrangements as the desired outcomes were based around the development of positive relationships between schools.

·  It was highlighted all of the SILCs have developed informal partnership arrangements within both primary and secondary mainstream schools.

·  With regard to those SILCs wishing to convert into academies, it was noted that the Council would be working with them to encourage any existing positive partnerships to continue as part of any changeover specification.

·  It was highlighted that the Council is unable to direct schools.  As such, its main role is to influence and facilitate cooperation.  However, the Board was pleased to learn that the Council was exploring how future partnership arrangements could be formalised to provide greater security and also a clear role for the Council while still enabling schools to continue developing positive relationships and outcomes.

·  The Board stressed the importance of having effective communication and meaning engagement with students and their parents/carers, with the acknowledgement that such communications could have been better in relation to the Post-16 Meadows Park Partnership.

·  Moving forward, the Board recognised the importance of ensuring that Leeds has the best possible provision and a range of provision with a range of pathways for Post-16 learners and particularly vulnerable learners.

·  The Chair referenced forthcoming Outcome Based Accountability events linked to the strategic review of Post-16 education in Leeds and also advised Board Members that future sessions on this matter will be scheduled into the Board’s work programme accordingly.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

b)  That future discussions linked to the strategic review of Post-16 education be scheduled within the work programme.