Ask for:Emma Lund
Ext:25563
My ref:
Your ref:
EDUCATION CABINET PANEL
9 APRIL 2008
M I N U T E S
ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
N Bell, D E Billing,M Coxage, A D Dodd, K F Emsall (Executive Member for Education and Culture),B C Engel, T Heritage, B J Lamb, R Prowse,H M Saunders, R A C Thake (Chairman), M Tucker
Parent-Governor/Church Representative (Voting)
P Cherry
Also present:
D E Lloyd
Upon consideration of the agenda for the Education Cabinet Panel meeting on 9 April 2008 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:
Note: No conflicts of interest were declared by any member of the Panel in relation to the matters on which conclusions were reached at this meeting.
PART 1
ACTION1. / MINUTES
1.1 / The minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
2. / SINGLE-SEX TEACHING – OPPORTUNITIES IN HERTFORDSHIRE
[Officer Contacts: Andy Cunningham, Head of School Effectiveness (Secondary)
Tel: 01992 555740
Katie Davies, Project Officer
Tel: 01582 830286]
2.1 / The Panel received a report which provided information about research findings on single-sex education and its impact on students’ attainment and attitudes. The report included the findings of the latest research into both single-sex classes in co-educational schools and single-sex schools.
2.2 / Members heard that the evidence of the benefits of single-sex classrooms in co-educational schools is inconsistent and inconclusive, especially in showing any impact on attainment, and nor is there conclusive evidence on the benefits of single-sex schools on attainment. The achievement data presented on page 4 of the report was considered:Members felt that this should be treated with caution since it does not take account of other factors which may affect achievement - for example the different nature of the intakes to single-sex schools and socio-economic factors.
2.3 / Members heard that the trialling by Hemel HempsteadSchool into single-sex classes for key stage 4 maths and English has now discontinued; however, the trials at SirJohnLawesSchool and Sandringham are ongoing. Officers advised that single-sex classes have worked best where teachers and the school are committed to working in this way, and where it has not been imposed.
2.4 / In debate it was acknowledged that many parents prefer single-sex school education for their children and there is a perception that achievement is higher in these schools, albeit this is not borne out by the research. Members heard that the evidence demonstrates that teachers of single-sex classes often adapt their styles of teaching, and it is this which is the important factor rather than the separation of the genders. It was felt that high-attaining schools are such because of the quality of the teaching rather than by reason of being single-sex schools.
Conclusion:
The Panel:
2.5 / noted the key findings of the research;
2.6 / agreed that the evidence did not indicate a benefit in increasing the number of single-sex schools or single-sex classes in the county. However, the Panel acknowledged the need forparents to be offered a choice in respect of single-sex education;
2.7 / suggested thatthe research findings should be disseminated more widely – for example to governors and teaching staff. / Andy Cunningham to note
3. / ANNUAL ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT
[Officer Contacts: Paul Wray, Area Planning Manager (West)
Tel: 01992 555860
Patrick Wray, Asset Manager (Management Information)
Tel: 01992 556241]
3.1 / The Panel received a report which provided an overview of service direction and objectives and relevant issues in relation to CSF (Schools) and Non-Schools (Education) properties. Members were invited to note and comment upon the Annual Accommodation Statement report which provides an overview of service direction and objectives and relevant property issues with a broad analysis of the adequacy of existing accommodation, emerging needs, and where change is desired.
3.2 / In response to Member concern about why the priority ‘to find appropriate accommodation solutions to support the move to an Integrated Youth Support Service from April 2008’ is shown at the end of the list, the Panel was advised that the Annual Accommodation Statement forms the first part of a three-part process, so that the priorities included within the report have not yet been ranked. The ranked list of priorities will form part of the Service Property Priority report which will come to the Panel in the autumn.
3.3 / In debate concern was expressed about the resources needed to fund appropriate accommodation solutions to support the move to an Integrated Youth Support Service, and the need to ensure that alternative sources of funding are exploited and external resources utilised was expressed. Officers advised that some funding has already been made available from the Big Lottery Fund, which is being used to fund replacement kitchen and dining facilities at Cuffley Camp. In response to questions as to whether existing facilities which are owned by other organisations could be used - thus saving on capital expenditure - officers advised that work is taking place with district councils to consider whether and how resources can be shared; work is also being done to investigate whether more use can be made of Hudnall Park and Cuffley Camp, and further information will be included in a progress report to come to the Panel in the autumn.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
3.4 / noted the report;
3.5 / noted that the Service Property Priorities, to include the prioritised list of projects, will come back to the Panel in September 2008;
3.6 / requested that the Outline Business Cases for the Building Schools for the Future Project should come to the Panel before final submission; / Justin Donovan/
Andy Cunningham
3.7 / requested that an update on the academies programme should come to the next meeting of the Panel; / Justin Donovan
3.8 / requested that an update on the progress of IYSS – to include information on funding opportunities – should come to the Panel. / Alan Dinning
4. / HERTFORDSHIRE ADULT AND FAMILY LEARNING SERVICE – READINESS FOR INSPECTION 2008
[Officer Contact: Marianne Stevenson, Head of Adult, Family and Community Learning
Tel: 01992 555915]
4.1 / The Panel received a report which updated Members on the readiness of the Hertfordshire Adult and Family Learning Service for Ofsted inspection following re-inspection in February 2006, and which also provided information on national and local adult education developments. The report formed an update on developments since the last report to the Panel in March 2007.
4.2 / Marianne Stevenson, Head of Adult, Family and Community Learning advised Members that the service was initially inspected in November 2004, when the quality of provision was deemed ‘unsatisfactory’, and was re-inspected in February 2006 at which an overall ‘satisfactory’ grade was received, although quality assurance was still deemed ‘unsatisfactory’. An Ofsted Quality Monitoring Visit in May 2007 reported significant progress on all themes covered in the visit: the service is due to be re-inspected before November 2008, and exact details are expected soon.
4.3 / Members heard about the developments which have recently been implemented, including:
- the appointment of a ‘critical friend’ to make recommendations which have been incorporated into the service’s Quality Improvement Plan;
- improvements in quality monitoring; using inspectors to observe lessons, scrutiny of lesson plans;
- working towards putting details of all adult learning courses on HertsDirect;
- review of the existing structure and resource levels
4.4 / Members also heard that in January 2008 the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) published a consultation paper on ‘Informal Adult Learning’, and the Secretary of State is seeking the views of stakeholders on how adult learning should be delivered and supported in the future. Marianne Stevenson advised that the County Council has organised a round-table event, to be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, to formulate a Hertfordshire-wide response to the consultation. The response will need to be submitted by 15 May 2008.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
4.5 / noted the report;
4.6 / endorsed the preparations for the Ofsted inspection of the Hertfordshire Adult and Family Learning Service;
4.7 / requested a briefing on the response to the DIUS to allow Members to comment before final submission. It was agreed that this briefing should include details of the planning framework. / CSF
5. / DATE OF NEXT MEETING
[Officer Contact: Emma Lund, Democratic Services Officer
Tel: 01992 555563]
5.1 / Wednesday 11 June 2008 at 10.00am in Committee Room B. / All to note
Andrew Laycock
CountySecretary
080409 Minutes
1