AGENDA ITEM 13

BOROUGH OF POOLE

CABINET

3 JUNE 2008

CANFORD HEATH MIDDLE SCHOOL: REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

1.PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1To report on the statement of action made by the Local Authority in respect of Canford Heath Middle School, which OFSTED have found to be a school requiring special measures.

1.2To report on the actions in respect of federation of the school with Canford Heath First School.

2.DECISIONS REQUIRED

2.1That Cabinet be recommended to agree that (a) the Local Authority Statement of Action is a robust and successful response to a school under special measures; and (b) the proposal to federate Canford Heath Middle School with Canford Heath First School proceed.

2.2To note the actions taken to federate the schools and the current response of parents to this proposal

3.BACKGROUND/INFORMATION

3.1Canford Heath Middle School was a school that had been provided with intensive support from the Local Authority for more than two years.

3.2The school and Local Authority actions had been subject to monitoring by the Chief Adviser since September 2007.

3.3The headteacher of the school resigned on February 14th 2008.

3.4The school was inspected on March 14th 2008 and was found to require special measures

3.3As required in Part 4 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006: the provisions relating to schools causing concern in England the Local Authority has since the inspection used its statutory powers and its knowledge of good practice with the aim of ensuring that every pupil is provided with the education and opportunities they deserve. It has done this:

  • By ensuring that effective support and challenge is provided immediately through the appointment of an interim consultant headteacher from Canford Heath First School, so that improvements can be made quickly; and
  • By inviting the school to work with Canford Heath First School for the purpose of school improvement and to establish a federation in order that improvement is secured by good governance.
  • By taking other such actions to bring about improvement as detailed in the LA statement of action.

4.ANNEXES

4.1Canford Heath Middle School Inspection Report

4.2Local Authority Statement of Action

4.3Details of the approach to federation

4.4Events timeline and Parental responses

TO FOLLOW

Councillor Mrs Carol Evans

Chairman

Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

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