Issue - meetings

Report ED15116

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report outlining the draft Education Portfolio Plan for the 2015/16 academic year.  The draft priority outcomes within the Education Portfolio Plan focused on seven key activities in support of the Education Covenant and Education Commitments and were underpinned by supporting aims.

In considering the Education Portfolio Plan, a Co-opted Member highlighted the need to expand popular and high performing schools such as St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School.  The Portfolio Holder for Education noted that the Local Authority was working with schools across the Borough around potential expansion where appropriate, and that an outcome was awaited from the Department for Education on Weald of Kent Grammar School’s proposal to open a new grammar annexe in Sevenoaks before any similar plans could be developed for grammar schools based in Bromley.

In response to a question from a Co-opted Member, the Head of Schools, Early Years Commissioning and Quality Assurance confirmed that a report on building early years capacity within the private, voluntary, independent and maintained early years provision would be considered at the next meeting of Education PDS Committee.  The Co-opted Member noted the aim to undertake a programme of support and challenge for early years providers (including child minders) which would focus on those achieving ‘below good’ in Ofsted and those taking two year olds, but emphasised that a number of providers had not been inspected for several years and that Ofsted ratings might not be an indicator of current quality.  Recent restructures impacting the Early Years Service had also reduced its capacity to identify issues and offer appropriate support and challenge to early years providers.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree the draft Education Portfolio Plan for the 2015/16 academic year.