BOROUGH OF POOLE

MINUTES

LEARNING OVERVIEW GROUP

HELD ON TUESDAY 30th NOVEMBER 2004

The meeting commenced at 7.00pm and concluded at 10.00pm

Present:

Councillor Newell (Chairman)

Councillor Mrs Lavender (Vice-Chairman)

CouncillorsBelcham (substituting for Councillor Mrs Butt), Brooke, Clements, MrsDion, Montrose, Mrs Moore, Plummer, Woodcock and Wretham.

Diocesan Representative

Mr K Newman

Parent Governor Representative

Mr P Crouch

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Butt and Canon C Rutledge.

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following personal interests were declared:

Councillor Brooke as LEA Governor for Merley First School and Broadstone First School. His daughter teaches at Hillbourne Community Middle School.

Councillor Mrs Moore LEA Governor for Canford Heath Middle School, Rossmore Community College and Connexions LMG and Board.

Councillor Wretham as LEA Governor for Longfleet CE VC Combined School and LEA Governor for Stanley Green First School and Governor of Bournemouth & Poole College.

Mr P Crouch as Parent Governor for Poole Grammar School.

Councillor Woodcock as LEA Governor for Old Town First School and Nursery, Baden-Powell and St Peters’ CE VC Middle School. Chairman of Connexions Local Management Group and Board Member.

Councillor Mrs Lavender as School helper Year 1 at St Aldhelm’s CE VA Combined School and Governor of Heatherlands School.

Councillor Newell as LEA Governor for Poole Grammar School; wife Deputy Headteacher at Haymoor Middle School and Lecturer at Bournemouth University.

Councillor Clements as a Member of the Learning and Skills Council and Chairman of Shadow governing body of Manorside School.

  1. MINUTES

(i)The minutes of the meeting held on 14th September 2004, were confirmed by the Group, and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments:-

add Councillor Wretham to Councillors Present.

M.5 (vi) in the first line delete “Mullen” and insert “Hills”. Second line delete “II” and insert “’s” after Elizabeth and insert “Upper” between the words “Ferndown” and “School” in the second line.

(ii)The minutes of the Special joint meeting of the Community Support Overview Group and the Learning Overview Group held on 1st November 2004 were confirmed by the Group, and signed by the Chairman. Councillor Mrs Dion requested that it be recorded that the reason she apologised for non-attendance at that meeting was because she had a pecuniary interest in the item.

  1. BUDGET STRATEGY 2005/06 APPROVED BY CABINET ON 5TH OCTOBER 2004

The Policy Director (Education) presented the report of the Head of Financial Services. He reported that the Government settlement was expected to be announced later this week.

The Portfolio Holder for Learning announced that the £500,000 overspend in the current financial year for Learning had now been cleared. He congratulated the work of all Heads of Service dealing with learning for this achievement. He encouraged all staff and Members to work to reduce the Council Tax for the benefit of the residents of Poole.

AGREED to note the report.

  1. REVIEW OF READING STANDARDS AND PROGRESS (FOUNDATION STAGE AND KEY STAGE 1)

The Group considered the report and recommendations of the Reading Standards Working Group considered by the Community Support and Education Scrutiny Committee on 16th November 2004. The Group also considered the draft minute of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Group congratulated the Working Party for the high standard of the report. The Group also thanked the schools and officers for taking part in this worthwhile exercise. The Group felt that it was important that parents were involved in their children’s reading as witnessed at Turlin Moor First School. Parents were invited to hear their children read from which it was believed the parents also gained benefit.

Members noted that verbal communication was an important element of learning standard English at an early age. The Portfolio Holder for Learning reminded the Group that it was the Learning Overview Group that requested this piece of work and he was very pleased with the outcome.

AGREED that:

1.The report and findings of the Reading Standards Working Group be noted and the Portfolio Holder for Learning requested to approve them;

2.The following recommendations in respect of primary schools be endorsed;

  1. That schools be encouraged to develop a stronger phonic approach to reading, in line with DfES advice and guidance
  2. Embrace new technology (e.g. whiteboards as an aid to reading development)
  3. Further explore creative approaches to teaching and literacy development across the curriculum
  4. Continue to encourage parental/carer involvement in their child’s education and school life.

3.The improvements in literacy as a result of the employment of teaching support staff be noted and the high quality training provided by School Advice and Support Services be continued.

4.That the Head of School Advice and Support Services be requested to continue to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of Wave 3 and report back to the Community Support and Education Scrutiny Committee in September 2005.

5.That Officers be requested to draw up a programme, in discussion with the Chairs of the Learning Overview Group, Community Support and Education Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Learning, to consider appropriate education issues.

  1. WORKFORCE REMODELLING - PROGRESS

The Group considered the report of the Head of School Advice and Support Services on the progress implementing the Government’s Workforce Remodelling Initiative.

The Workforce Remodelling adviser summarised the issues relating to the Workforce Remodelling and highlighted the following issues:-

  • Remodelling was about giving teachers more time to focus on teaching and learning and provide extra support and renewed leadership to reduce workload, increase job satisfaction and maximise the effectiveness of the whole school workforce in delivering improved standards.
  • To provide teachers with time for high quality planning preparation and assessment (PPA) during their timetable teaching time. By September 2005 the guaranteed time for PPA should be 10%..
  • There were 10 remodelling facilitators supporting schools to manage the remodelling process on a one-to-one basis.
  • All schools in Poole had been offered training in the National Remodelling Team’s Change Management Process and to date 90% of schools had accepted their places.

The Group welcomed the Workforce Remodelling initiative and accepted that initially Headteachers would bear the brunt of the workload. However, eventually this would be reduced and overall there would be benefit to teachers and enable them to have more time to focus on teaching and learning.

The Policy Director (Education) confirmed that funding for implementing the PPA initiative was part of the funding formula guarantee for primary schools.

AGREED to endorse the progress made in implementing the Workforce Remodelling initiative by the Workforce Remodelling adviser.

  1. HAMWORTHY LIBRARY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTRE

The Group considered the report of the Head of Culture and Community Learning on the Hamworthy Library Community Learning project to modify the Hamworthy Library environment to be more conducive to learning with a target to recruit 244 learners onto free courses by the end of July 2004.

Members agreed that the Hamworthy Library Community Learning Centre Project had been a great success and consultations were currently taking place to offer similar provision in a number of other community venues. They include Carter Community Sports College, Hamworthy First and Middle School, Mayze’s Salon, Hamworthy Labour Club, Turlin Moor First and Middle School, Rockley Sailing School, Hamworthy Marine Base and Turlin Moor Community Centre. Members also noted that a Steering Group had been established to sustain activity in Hamworthy Library which would complement the activities of the Steering Group required for the Canford Heath Library Learning Centre Project.

A Member referred to the need to encourage participation in Adult Learning from the gypsy/traveller community who found it very difficult to take the first step to attend adult learning classes. The Head of Culture and Community Learning accepted that more work needed to be undertaken to encourage participation from the gypsy/traveller community and the library was often seen as a more inviting environment than a school. The suggestion was made by a Member that when the Rossmore Library opens in January that a display celebrating the gypsy/traveller community might be featured which could help educate the public on their culture and encourage the use of the facility by that Community.

AGREED to recognise the achievements of the Hamworthy Library Community Learning Centre project and endorse the continuation of the Library Learning Centre Strategy.

  1. LIBRARY SERVICE REVIEW

The Group considered the report of the Head of Culture and Community Learning on the Terms of Reference of the strategic review of the library service requested by the Group at its meeting on 14th September 2004.

AGREED to endorse the Terms of Reference for the review of the library service.

9.SCHOOL ORGANISATION: PROPOSAL TO CONSULT ON EXTENSION OF PROVISION AT LONGSPEE SCHOOL TO ACCOMMODATE PUPILS AGED 11-16

The Group considered the report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent Support Services on the commencement of the consultation process to extend the age range at Longspee School to cater for pupils aged 11-16 who exhibit emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

The Group was informed that the formal consultation period, which would involve holding public meetings would take place between 10th January –18th February 2005.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing requested that it be recorded that he welcomed with open arms the proposal to consult on the extension of provision at Longspee School.

AGREED to recommend Cabinet to approve consultation on the proposal to extend the age range of Longspee School to accommodate pupils aged 11-16 who exhibit emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

10.SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS CAMPUS PLANNING

The Group considered the report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent Support on the outcome of consultation with parents, staff and governors at Montecute, Winchelsea and Longspee Schools on proposals for Special School Campus models provision for pupils with learning disabilities and behaviour, social and emotional difficulties.

The Policy Director (Education) stated that he was expecting the capital funding bid to the DfES to be successful and that a completion date of 2007/8 for the Montacute/Lodge Hill site to accommodate Montacute and Winchelsea Schools was anticipated. He explained that the capital bid would only be successful if the Council could show a link between SEN provision and mainstream school provision as part of the strategy for special educational needs children. He further explained that when the DfES approve the capital funding, the proposal relating to special educational needs campus planning would be referred to the School Organisation Committee for approval.

Members raised the following issues:

  • The Winchelsea and Montecute Schools were poorly designed buildings needed to be demolished and rebuilt.
  • A number of trees on the Montecute/Lodge Hill site were covered by a Preservation Order and that this fact needs to be borne in mind when the planning application was submitted to avoid objections being received by neighbouring residents. The Officers stated that this matter would be included in the consultation process.

AGREED:

(i)to note the report and the outcomes of the first stage of the consultation process; and

(ii)to endorse Officers seeking funding for the project when the appropriate information regarding bidding for capital funding was made available by the DfES.

Councillor Clements and Mr Newman requested that it be recorded that they abstained from voting on his matter.

11.OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION ON PROPOSAL TO CEASE TO MAINTAIN SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCES BASES FOR HEARING IMPAIRED PUPILS

The Group considered the report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent Support Services on the next stage of consultation to be undertaken to cease to maintain the three Resource Bases for pupils with significant hearing impairments located at Sylvan First School, Branksome Heath Middle School and St Edward’s RC CE School.

The Group noted that there were no responses received against closing the three Resource Bases and that subject to Cabinet approval, the statutory notices would be published on 6th January 2005 proposing the closure of the Resource Bases with effect from 31st August 2005.

AGREED to recommend Cabinet to note the outcome of the first stage of consultation and approve formal consultation be undertaken as statutory notices published to cease to maintain the three Resource Bases for pupils with significant hearing impairment at Sylvan First School, Branksome Heath Middle School and St Edward’s RC CE School.

12.OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION ON PROPOSAL TO CEASE TO MAINTAIN THE DYSLEXIA BASED AT BADEN-POWELL AND ST PETER’S CE MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Group considered the report of the Acting Head of Pupil and Parent Support Services that there was no clear consensus regarding the future of the dyslexia base at Baden-Powell and St Peter’s CE Middle Schools.

The Officers recommended that further consultation was required with clear financial information provided to enable the Group to further consider the matter in the New Year.

AGREED to note the outcomes of the consultation on the proposal to cease to maintain the dyslexia base at Baden-Powell and St Peter’s CE Middle Schools and authorise the Officers to undertake further investigation and considered by the Group in July 2005.

13.RESULTS OF STATUTORY NATIONAL CURRICULUM ASSESSMENT AND PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS IN POOLE IN 2004

The Group considered the report of the Head of School Advice and Support Services on the outcome of National Curriculum Assessment and public examinations in Poole in 2004.

The Group noted that the exam results overall were the best ever achieved in the Borough of Poole.

It was reported that the results in Key Stage 3 for English were still awaited for 2004 for all pupils.

Members complimented the Officers on the excellent report.

Members referred to the gender gap in results but noted that it was not consistent in all schools. It was suggested that the issue of difference in results for boys and girls was a matter that should be considered by the Working Group on Reading when it meets to consider its next area of work.

AGREED:

(i)to note the contents of the report; and

(ii)congratulations of the Group be passed on to Headteachers, Governors and pupils for excellent results received in 2004.

14.THE HAMWORTHY SCHOOLS PROJECT

The Group considered the joint report of the Head of School Advice and Support Services and Head of Property Services on the budget status of the Hamworthy Schools Project and the request to recommend Cabinet to support the project budget with additional funding from the Asset Management Plan.

The Policy Director (Education) presented the report and stated that at the request of the Head of Financial Services, the decision required had been amended as follows:-

“That Members note the additional cost required to complete the Hamworthy Schools Project and request Cabinet to recommend Council a virement of £455,783 to the Hamworthy Schools Budget from the Asset Management Plan budget to cover the increased costs of the project in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.”

The Portfolio Holder for Learning stated that the Hamworthy Schools Project had provided excellent facilities for Hamworthy First, Hamworthy Middle Schools and Carter Community Sports College. However, delivering the project had highlighted project management issues and these had been reported to and investigated by the Learning Overview Group and the Community Support and Education Scrutiny Committee.

Members agreed that project management training was required for managers undertaking projects throughout the Council, and was an item that should be considered by the appropriate Scrutiny Committee.

AGREED:

(i)To note the report listing the additional costs required to complete the Hamworthy Schools Project; and

(ii)Cabinet to recommend the Council to approve virement of £455,783 to the Hamworthy Schools Budget from the Asset Management Plan Budget to cover the increased costs of the project in accordance with the Council’s constitution.

15.SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN: REVISED SCHOOL PUPIL FORECAST

The Group considered the report of the Head of School Advice and Support Services on the updated school pupil forecast, reported to the School Organisation Committee on 29th November 2004 for information. Any proposed changes to school Planned Admissions Numbers would be the subject of separate reports to the Group in due course.

AGREED to note the revised school pupil forecast and that any proposed changes to schools Planned Admission Numbers would be the subject of separate reports to the Group in due course.

16.UPDATE ON PROPOSAL TO COMBINE HILLBOURNE FIRST SCHOOL AND NURSERY AND HILLBOURNE COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL