MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
Present:
Councillor Mrs Taylor JP (in the Chair)
Councillors
N Best
Houldsworth Mrs Ridyard
Coleman
Lee
Wynne
Mrs Rowson
Co-opted Members: Canon Durham and Mr J Dooley
In attendance:
Councillor P Collins, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
Mr D Lund, Executive Director, Children Adults and Family Services
Mrs S Harrison, Assistant Director Learning and Schools, Children Adults and Family
Services Directorate
Ms J Hambly, Assistant Director Safeguarding, Looked After Children and Additional
Needs, Children Adults and Family Services Directorate
Mr A Lowe, Children Adult and Families Directorate
Mr D Garrett, Goal Champion, Blackpool Strategic Partnership
Mrs L Latham, Resources Directorate
Also Present:
Mrs F Greaves and Mrs C Ridgeway, Collegiate High School
1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Mrs Ridyard declared a personal interest with regard to Item 11 - Building
Schools for the Future. The nature of the interest being that she was a member of the
school’s governing body.
2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24 JUNE 2010
The Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2010 be signed
by the Chairman as a correct record.
3. DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE AND CABINET MEMBER
The Committee noted that there had been no decisions taken by the Executive and
Cabinet Member appertaining to the Children’s Services portfolio.
MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
4. FORWARD PLAN
The Committee considered the proposed key decisions included in the Forward Plan
which fell within the remit of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.
With regard to decision reference 25/2009 Permission to Proceed with planning for a
Studio School in Blackpool, the Committee was informed that funded had been curtailed
and that alternative options to deliver the type of education and work based programmes
proposed for the Studio School were being investigated.
A question was raised regarding decision reference 11/2010 - Revised school
organisational issues required following the cessation of the Building Schools for the
Future Programme.
The Committee agreed to note the key decisions included within the Forward Plan.
Background Papers: None
5. COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL OFSTED INSPECTION REPORT
The Committee considered the inspection report for Collegiate High School.
Mrs S Harrison, Assistant Director Learning and Schools, addressed the Committee
regarding the content of the report. She explained that the school had been given a
notice to improve but that the inspection team had recognised the school had developed
its capacity to sustain improvements relating to achievement, the quality of teaching and
learning and attendance. She noted that the appointment of a new headteacher would
continue to build on progress made by the previous interim headteacher.
Mrs C Ridgway, Headteacher, Collegiate High School explained that it was her intention
to ensure continuous improvements in teaching and learning were made at the school
alongside improvements in attendance. The teaching team was noted to be stable,
experienced and focused on providing the best opportunities for learning for the pupils.
Mrs F Greaves, Chairman of Governors explained that the partnership with Blackpool
Sixth Form College was working well, both in terms of sharing staffing resource and in
raising aspirations of children at the school to continue into higher education.
The School would receive a further follow up inspection from Ofsted to monitor progress
within a 12 month period.
Mrs Harrison reported that the Local Authority would continue to support the school,
particularly in implementing strategies for improved teaching and learning. She
explained that the unvalidated headline results at Key Stage 4 had indicated a significant
percentage rise in pupil’s achievement at GCSE.
The Committee agreed:
1. To note the report.
MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
2. To forward a letter to the school that would express its support for continuing progress
and improvements at the school and thanks in conjunction with the hard work
undertaken by all staff, pupils and parents.
Background Papers: None
6. HAWES SIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL OFSTED INSPECTION REPORT
The Committee considered the Ofsted inspection report for Hawes Side Primary School.
Mrs S Harrison, Assistant Director Learning and Schools, addressed the Committee
regarding the content of the report. She noted that the school had been graded as good,
with considerable areas of improvement made since the last inspection. She noted that
independent learning and performance monitoring undertaken by pupils themselves
were particular strengths of the school.
The areas highlighted for improvement had been fully acknowledged by the school in
particular increasing the consistency of good or better teaching.
She explained that the challenge for the school was to develop further and move from a
good to an outstanding judgement when inspected in future.
The Committee agreed:
1. To note the report.
2. To forward a letter that would express its congratulations and thanks in conjunction
with the hard work undertaken by all staff, parents and pupils at the school.
Background Papers: None
7. NORBRECK PRIMARY SCHOOL INSPECTION REPORT
The Committee considered the Ofsted inspection report for Norbreck Primary School.
Mrs S Harrison, Assistant Director Learning and Schools, addressed the Committee
regarding the content of the report. She explained that the school had been graded as
good overall with particularly positive comments regarding the vibrant curriculum and
high aspirations and ambitious target setting of the school leaders and governors.
Inspectors had commented that the school knew itself well and had made consistent
progress since the last inspection despite building works on site. Areas for improvement
had been incorporated into the School Action Plan, with the aim of moving the school
towards an outstanding judgement following the next inspection.
The Committee agreed:
1. To note the report.
MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
2. To forward a letter that would express its congratulations and thanks in conjunction
with the hard work undertaken by all staff, parents and pupils at the school.
Background Papers: None
8. BLACKPOOL ATTAINMENT 2009 - 2010
Mrs S Harrison, Assistant Director Learning and Schools, provided the Committee with
an overview of the unvalidated Blackpool 2009 - 2010 attainment results for children
aged four, seven, eleven and sixteen.
The Committee was informed that results relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage
were extremely pleasing, particularly the percentage of children achieving six or more in
the areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Communication,
Language and Literacy. Summary Statements based on teacher assessments at Key
Stage One had shown some percentage decreases across a number of areas.
Improving standards at Key Stage One was a key focus area for the 2010 - 2011 year
and it was anticipated that outcomes for children would be improved through using staff
trained as part of the Every Child a Talker programme.
A detailed discussion took place regarding the Key Stage Two Summary Results and the
number of schools within Blackpool which did not administer the national tests in 2010.
She explained that the figures were therefore indicative and had been separated into
those for teacher assessment and test based results. Mr D Lund, Executive Director
Children, Adult and Family Services informed the Committee that all schools had been
advised prior to May 2010 to comply with the law and administer the tests.
Mrs Harrison advised the Committee that achievements at Key Stage Four had been the
highest recorded and the percentage of pupils achieving five or more A* - C had risen to
46.3% with all schools showing improvement in their results. She noted that Maths
would remain a key focus for 2010 - 2011 to continue progress in narrowing the gap
between attainment in English and Maths with St Mary’s Catholic College acting as the
lead school.
The Committee agreed to:
1. Note the report.
2. To receive a report at a future meeting detailing the breakdown of the validated results
by school.
Background Papers: None
MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
9. PRESENTATION ON DOMESTIC ABUSE
This item was deferred to a future meeting of the Committee.
10. YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM INSPECTION 2009 ACTION PLAN UPDATE
Mr A Lowe, Children, Adult and Families Directorate, provided an update report on the
areas for improvement highlighted in the core case inspection of Blackpool Youth
Offending Team in 2009.
He explained that steady progress had been made in implementing systematic
approaches to core practice, including significant staff training programmes to improve
knowledge and expertise within the team. Case loads for workers still remained high in
Blackpool, although in line with national trends, the numbers of young people entering
the youth criminal justice system were reducing.
Youth Justice had recently become a responsibility of the Ministry for Justice and
implications regarding future work within the area had not yet been confirmed.
The Committee agreed:
1. To note the report.
2. To receive an update regarding the future of the Youth Offending Team and youth
justice operations when the implications of work under the new government department
funding streams were known.
Background Papers: None
11. BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE
Mr D Lund, Executive Director Children, Adult and Family Services, provided the
Committee with an update on the Building Schools for the Future Programme.
He reported that following the Government’s review of the Building Schools for the
Future and Academies programmes in August 2010, the Local Authority was notified that
the sample schools redevelopment could progress. Plans for the remaining
secondary schools, Studio School and special school realignment had all been
’stopped’, with future schools capital requirements linked to a Department of Education
review on capital spending and the outcome of the Government’s Comprehensive
Spending Review in late October 2010.
The Committee was informed that the statutory consultation had commenced to defederate Bispham and Beacon Hill High Schools and would be finally determined by the
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services. The Primary School element in place at
Beacon Hill High School would remain, making the school a through school for pupils
aged 5 to 16 years.
MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
A question was raised regarding the redevelopment of Snow Heights, listed as part of
work to be undertaken by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust. Mr Lund reported that Snow
Heights was an outdoor activity facility situated in the Lake District which had
been purchased by Trustees for use by children and young people in Blackpool a
number of years ago. The facility required maintenance and had fallen into disrepair.
The Committee agreed to note the report.
Background Papers: None
12. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME
The Committee considered an update on the proposed Holidays in Term Time Policy for
all schools.
Mrs J Hambly, Assistant Director Safeguarding, Looked After Children and Additional
Needs, reported that the School Term Time Leave Policy would become an appendix to
the Blackpool Attendance Strategy due to be launched in the Autumn Term. It was
anticipated that the document would be a tool for Headteachers to utilise when informing
and negotiating with parents regarding taking their children out of school for a family
holiday.
She explained that all Governing Bodies would be encouraged to adopt the policy.
In response to questioning, the Committee was informed that supplementary guidance
was also provided by the Authority to define ’exceptional circumstances’ as referred to in
the Policy.
The Committee agreed to note the update report.
Background Papers: None
13. BLACKPOOL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP GOAL CHAMPIONS REPORT
The Committee received a brief update from Mr D Garrett, Blackpool Strategic
Partnership’s (BSP) Goal Champion for Improving Skill Levels and Educational
Achievement.
He highlighted the overall context surrounding the operation of the BSP moving forward,
particularly in the light of recent announcements by the Coalition Government. The
Committee was informed that Mr Garrett had continued to meet regularly with officers
from the Children, Adult and Families Directorate and with the Chairman of the
Committee.
The Committee was informed that as Goal Champion Mr Garrett sat on the Children’s
Trust Board and would endeavour to work more closely with the Board in future. Mr
Garrett noted that due to potential changes in the organisation of the Enterprise Board,
of which he was Chairman, he may not continue in the role of Goal Champion in the
future.
MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
The Committee agreed to note the update report.
Background Papers: None
14. SCRUTINY UPDATE AND BLACKPOOL YOUTH SERVICES PROVISION
SCRUTINY REVIEW FINAL REPORT
Mrs L Latham, Resources Directorate, addressed the Committee regarding the final
report of the Youth Services Provision Scrutiny Working Group.
The review had focused on the role and types of work undertaken by a youth worker in
Blackpool Young People’s Services and provision (places to go and positive activities)
available across the whole of Blackpool, including Leisure Services, The Third and
private sectors. She explained that the investigations of the Working Group had been
significantly impacted upon by announcements from Central Government regarding
immediate reductions in Area Based Grant funding. The report therefore contained a
number of service priorities alongside more traditional scrutiny recommendations.
The Committee was requested to consider potential topics for review. Mr D Lund,
Executive Director Children, Adult and Family Directorate suggested that the Music
Service could be the subject of a future scrutiny review.
The Committee agreed:
1. To approve the Blackpool Youth Services Provision Scrutiny final report.
2. To forward the report to the Policy, Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee
for consideration.
Background Papers: None
15. COMMITTEE WORKPLAN
Mrs L Latham, Resources Directorate, presented Members with an updated Committee
Workplan for 2010 - 2011 and a brief overview of the proposed schedule of
arrangements for joint working with the Adult Social Care and Housing Overview and
Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year.
She explained that following the first joint workshop which had taken place on 24 June
2010, feedback from Members had been extremely positive. It had been agreed that
opportunities for joint working between both Committees should be maximised,
particularly focusing on areas of transition. The schedule included both joint workshops
and some separate committee meetings.
The Committee agreed:
1. To note the updated Workplan.
MINUTES OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2010
2. To note the report from the Joint Workshop for members of the Adult Social Care and
Housing and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 June
2010.
3. To note the programme of scheduled committees and joint workshops for the
remainder of the Municipal Year 2010 - 2011.
Background Papers: None
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Committee noted that the date of the next meeting was Thursday 7 October 2010,
to be held at 4.45pm and followed by a joint workshop at 5pm. Both meetings would
take place at Blackpool Town Hall.
Chairman
(The meeting ended at 6:48 pm)
Any queries regarding these minutes, please contact:
Laura Latham,Senior Democratic Services Adviser
Tel: 01253 477123
E-mail: laura.latham@blackpool.gov.uk