Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Dolores Bray-Ash JP, Father Owen Higgs and Rachel Opadiran.

The Chairman was pleased to welcome a number of new committee members and offered his thanks to those Members and Co-opted Members who had now left the Education PDS Committee.

Report RES13099

The Committee considered a report outlining Co-opted Membership appointments to the Committee for 2013/14.

A vacancy remained for a Head Teacher Representative and it was noted that a nomination would continue to be sought for this appointment.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The following Parent Governor Representative appointments be made to the Education PDS Committee for 2013/14 with voting rights:

·  Mrs Janet Latinwo, Primary Parent Governor

·  Mrs Dolores Bray-Ash, Secondary School Parent Governor

·  Mr Darren Jenkins, Special School Parent Governor

2)  Father Owen Higgs representing the Church of England and Mrs Joan McConnell representing the Roman Catholic Church be appointed as Co-opted Members to the Education PDS Committee for 2013/14 with voting rights;

3)  The following Education PDS Co-opted Membership appointments be made to the Education PDS Committee for 2013/14 without voting rights:

·  Mrs Alison Regester as Pre-School Settings Representative

·  Miss Rachel Opadiran as Young People’s Representative

Councillor Kathy Bance declared that she was the Chair of Governors at Malcolm Primary School.

Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP declared that he and Mrs Joan McConnell were parishioners at the same church.

Councillor Julian Benington declared that he was a Governor of Charles Darwin School and Bromley College of Further and Higher Education.

Mr Darren Jenkins, Parent Governor representative, declared that he was a Governor at Riverside School and Wickham Common Primary School.

Mrs Janet Latinwo, Parent Governor representative, declared that she was a Governor of Oaklands Primary School.

Councillor David McBride declared that he was a teacher at a school in the London Borough of Bexley and was a member of the ATC.

Mrs Joan McConnell, Church representative, declared that she was a Governor at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.

Councillor Sarah Phillips declared that she was a member of St George’s Parish Church, Beckenham and that she had a child who attended St Olaves School.

Councillor Neil Reddin declared that he was a Governor at St Olaves School and that he had children who attended a pre-school in the Borough and Warren Road Primary School. 

Mrs Alison Regester, the Pre-School Settings and Early Years representative, declared that she ran a private day nursery in the Borough. 

In considering matters outstanding from previous meetings, Members were advised that work to increase the use of online applications for school admissions continued.  It was expected that a fully online admission process would be rolled out for Primary applications in September 2013 and for Secondary applications in September 2014, and progress would be reported to the meeting of Education PDS Committee on 12^th November 2013.

Representations had previously been made by the Local Authority to London Councils to extend the use of ‘The Hub’ to support the availability online of evidence needed for admissions applications, and it was confirmed that London Councils would be contacted to provide a further progress report.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th March 2013 and the joint meeting of Care Services and Education PDS Committees held on 7^th May 2013 be agreed.

To hear questions to the Committee received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on Wednesday 26^th June 2013 and to respond.  Questions must relate to the work of the scrutiny committee.

No questions had been received.

To hear questions to the Portfolio Holder received in writing by the Democratic Services Team by 5.00pm on Wednesday 26^th June 2013 and to respond.  Questions must relate to the work of the Portfolio.

No questions had been received.

The Portfolio Holder for Education gave an update to Members on work being undertaken across the Education Portfolio.

The need to create additional primary school places in the Borough had been identified as a priority.  Applications had been submitted for three free schools in the Borough, and work to consider temporary and permanent expansion of places at existing schools across the Borough would continue.  Secondary schools had been approached around the potential to develop ‘all-through’ academies.  It had also been identified that there would be a significant increase in demand for secondary places in the Borough from 2015-16.  The Portfolio Holder for Education emphasised the importance of ensuring that the effect of any proposed school expansion on the local community was mitigated, including the issue of increased traffic, and noted that a full traffic assessment would be carried out to assess the impact of any proposed expansion of a Bromley school.  Other measures such as walking buses and after school clubs would be important in minimising the impact of increased traffic at any expanded school at certain times of the day.  A Member noted the potential to introduce a safer parking area in the vicinity of schools where appropriate.

Discussions continued with the RC Archdiocese of Southwark around the potential to establish a new Roman Catholic secondary school in the Borough, and work to identify a suitable site was ongoing.  The Portfolio Holder was keen to encourage the Archdiocese to seek to establish a six form of entry Roman Catholic secondary school to ensure that sufficient places were available to all parents and carers who wanted their children to attend a Roman Catholic secondary school in the Borough.  A Member noted that there would be a wider choice of school sites if the decision was made to establish a smaller four form of entry secondary provision.

The Education Covenant had been agreed by Full Council on 1^st July 2013.  This Covenant outlined the role and responsibilities of the Local Authority in supporting education provision across the Borough into the future and would support the Local Authority in targeting its resources in the most effective way.

The Portfolio Holder noted that Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, who had acted as Children’s Champion for 2012/13, was now the Chairman of Care Services PDS Committee and thanked her for the excellent work she had undertaken on behalf of children and young people across the Borough.

In response to a question from a Member, the Portfolio Holder for Education confirmed that a School Improvement Advisor to offer mathematics support had now been recruited and would be in post from September 2013.  Remaining capacity would be filled through commissioning specialist practitioners in schools.  Out of 24 Local Authority maintained schools currently being provided with support by the School Improvement Service, nine had been unable to access maths support, and funding had been offered to these schools to buy in support or be provided with additional support from the School Improvement Service next term.

RESOLVED that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Education Portfolio Holder to present scheduled reports for pre-decision scrutiny on matters where he is minded to make decisions.

Report RES13132

The Portfolio Holder introduced the updated Education Covenant which had been agreed for adoption at the meeting of Full Council on 1^st July 2013.  The Education Covenant outlined the Local Authority’s duty to the residents of the Borough, which was to ensure there were sufficient school places, that the quality of education provided was of the highest standard and that that young people left school prepared for a successful and fulfilled adult life, well able to play their part as citizens in a democratic, economically prosperous Britain.  The Education Covenant also outlined the Local Authority’s commitment to pupils, parents, school governors, school leaders and local residents and businesses, as well as the role that the Local Authority hoped these stakeholders would take in contributing to the education of children and young people in the Borough.

A Member queried what recourse parents had when they felt that issues they had raised with their school Governing Body were not being addressed.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that parents of pupils at Local Authority Maintained schools could approach the Local Authority if they were concerned that key issues were not being addressed by the Governing Body.  Parents of pupils at Academy schools could approach the Secretary of State with any concerns.  It was noted that academy schools were required to deliver the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda, and should an Academy school be unable to fulfil this role, the Local Authority would have a role in challenging the Governing Body and could refer issues to the Department for Education where appropriate.  Parent Governors also had a role in representing the concerns of parents to the Governing Body.  The Portfolio Holder noted that the Local Authority would work to maintain a good relationship with all schools across the Borough, including Academy schools, and that Academy schools did have a duty of cooperation with the Local Authority, which included the continued provision of statistical information, particularly that in relation to safeguarding.

A Co-opted Member underlined to need to continue to build on the number of ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Good’ schools in the Borough.  The Portfolio Holder noted that the School Improvement Team targeted resources at those schools identified by Ofsted as needing additional support and that schools were also working to build links with other schools to support school improvement at every level.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve the updated Education Covenant.

Report RES13130

The Portfolio Holder introduced the progress update on the Education Portfolio Plan 2013/14, which had been agreed at the meeting of Education PDS Committee on 23^rd January 2013.  Each of the seven priorities had clearly defined aims and actions, as well as measures to ensure effective progress monitoring, and the majority of planned actions had now been successfully completed.  The Education Covenant and the Local Authority’s Education Commitments had been included as part of the Education Portfolio Plan 2013/14, to ensure that the Portfolio Priorities continued to reflect key Education aims and objectives of the Local Authority.

In considering the Portfolio Plan, the Chairman requested that the layout of the plan be reviewed and built around the Local Authority’s Education Commitments.  A Member requested that the job titles of Lead Officers on each action also be included.  The Portfolio Holder agreed to incorporate both of these suggestions in the Education Portfolio Plan 2014-15.

The Education Commitment to support the concept of a University Technical College for 14-19 year olds was progressing.  Councillor Julian Benington confirmed that Bromley College of Further and Higher Education was keen to broaden its education offer and was also working to build its Higher Education offer, delivered in partnership with Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church Universities.  Another Member noted the aim to support young people classified as ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’ and highlighted the potential to link up with the Bromley Youth Employment Programme.  The Assistant Director: Education was pleased to confirm that the Bromley Education Business Partnership already worked with these young people to support them into education, employment and training through a number of routes.  The Chairman suggested that a joint meeting of the Education and Renewal and Recreation PDS Committees be convened as needed to consider the issues faced by young people classified as ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’, who were the responsibility of both committees.

A Member underlined that sufficient school and college places would need to be made available for young people as part of the ‘Raising the Participation Age Strategy’.  The Assistant Director: Education confirmed that every secondary school in the Borough had been visited during the 2012/13 academic year, and that schools and colleges had worked to develop a wide-ranging local offer for young people as they moved into post-16 provision.

A Member noted the potential for flexible school terms, particularly with Academy schools, and queried whether the impact of any change of school terms should be considered by the Education PDS Committee.  The Assistant Director: Education confirmed that Academy schools in Bromley were currently setting term dates in line with Local Authority Maintained schools, but that this might change in future and the Local Authority would monitor any arising issues.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Note Members’ comments on the update of the Education Portfolio Plan 2013/14;

2)  Note the progress made in the Education Portfolio Plan 2013/14; and,

3)  Align the Education Portfolio Plan 2014-15 with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8b

Report CS13004

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report that provided an update on the changes in commissioning specialist placements for learners with more complex learning difficulties and disabilities in further education following a range of legislative changes.  The report also requested the approval of the draft Statement of Intent to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities to prepare effectively for adult life, which had an emphasis on further education placements.

The Children and Families Bill, published on 5^th February 2013, aimed to take a more holistic approach to special educational needs and disability for children and young people in England, and led to the establishment of a number of SEND Pathfinders to pilot a range of new measures to support children and young people with special educational needs and disability.  ‘Principles of Emerging Practice’, published in April 2013, outlined findings from these SEND Pathfinders to contribute to the emerging principles around ‘Transition and Post-16’, and in particular emphasised the need for Local Authorities to secure the most appropriate Further Education places for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.  It noted that local Further Education Colleges and Independent Specialist Providers should work together to develop blended support that built local capacity to support all young people, and that there should be a good range of suitable provision offered locally so that young people did not have to leave their local area if they chose not to.  It was highlighted that local authorities should use Education Health and Care Plans to agree with Independent Specialist Providers how young people would be supported to make a successful transition back to their local area after their placement had finished, and that pathways to paid employment be developed that were based on evidence-based practice.

In response to this, a Statement of Intent had been developed in collaboration with a range of stakeholders to support young people as they moved towards Post-16 provision and Transition and ‘to enable young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to live, learn and work within their local community, achieve sustained progression, resulting in better life outcomes’.

In considering the Statement of Intent, a Co-opted Member emphasised the need to ensure that young people with special educational needs and disabilities were offered placements that provided a challenging environment.  A Member of the Committee also noted that aspirations for full or part time employment would be appropriate for some young people with special educational needs and disabilities and that this should be reflected in the Statement of Intent.  Following discussion, Members generally agreed that the Statement of Intent be amended to reflect these points.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve an amended Statement of Intent which reflected Members’ comments.

Report RES13131

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report that provided an update of recent Ofsted and school improvement activity across the Borough.  Since the meeting of Education PDS Committee on 19^th March 2013, there had been an Ofsted Inspection of Edgebury Primary School with an outcome of ‘Requires Improvement’.  First monitoring inspection visits had taken place for Blenheim Primary School, Hawes Down Junior School, Poverest Primary School and St George’s CE Primary School as ‘Requires Improvement’ schools.  Further monitoring visits had also been made for Royston Primary School and St John’s CE Primary School as ‘Special Measures’ schools, and it was noted that Royston Primary School had been assessed as making ‘reasonable progress’.

As part of the new categorisation programme, 24 Local Authority Maintained schools were currently being supported by the School Improvement Service, of which eight were receiving intensive support, ten, medium support, and six, light support.  The School Improvement Team comprised four Senior Education Advisors who came from a successful Headship or Ofsted background and had worked at a senior level in the Local Authority. School Improvement Advisers were also working alongside Middle Leaders in schools to support their development, and National Leaders of Education in the Borough provided mentoring for Head Teachers in a number of schools.

In response to a question from a Member, the Assistant Director: Education confirmed that, where teaching had been identified as an area of concern by Ofsted at a Local Authority Maintained school, the school’s Senior Leadership Team worked with the Local Authority to put an improvement plan in place which might include bespoke training, support or mentoring. 

Local Authority Governors represented the Local Authority on Governing Bodies, and the Portfolio Holder advised Members that the School Governance Working Group had recommended that the network of Local Authority Governors be utilised more effectively to identify concerns around school improvement at an early stage and ensure these concerns were raised with the school’s Senior Leadership Team.  Academy Schools were not required to have Local Authority Governors; however 14 out of 31 Academy Schools in the Borough had chosen to retain their Local Authority Governors.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to note recent Ofsted and school improvement activity within the Borough.

Report ED13068

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report that explored the broader role of adult education and outlined the various options available to the Local Authority to fulfil its duty to secure reasonable provision of adult education in the Borough into the future.

Bromley Adult Education College worked to support training for employment and career development and learning for personal development (sometimes referred to as leisure or informal learning).  Training for employment and career development was funded through a combination of the Adult Skills Budgets, student fees (and loans from 2013) and employer contributions, and was focused on national government priorities and local employment and training needs, including delivery of a range of vocational qualifications at Levels 1-3, adult literacy and numeracy and English for speakers of other languages.  It also included training in independent living skills for adults with disabilities, partnership work with Jobcentre Plus and Affinity Sutton that was focused on supporting local adults into employment, and a range of corporate training for the Local Authority including ICT and New Futures training as well as managing training for Early Years and the schools’ workforce, previously delivered through the Education Development Centre.  Learning for personal development was funded by the Community Learning Grant from the Skills Funding Agency, as well as by student fees and payment ‘in kind’ from various community partners.  The Community Learning Grant was provided to local authorities to support informal adult learning at a local level, helping to meet local needs and strategic objectives.  At Bromley Adult Education College this supported the delivery of a wide range of non-accredited learning opportunities, some of which were provided in partnership with local community and third sector organisations to help engage non-traditional adult learning participants.  The Community Learning Grant also supported family learning and worked in partnership with schools to encourage intergenerational learning and homework support for parents. 

In considering the future delivery of adult education in the Borough, Members noted that local authority involvement in the provision of adult education was not a statutory duty and that there was only an expectation to make reasonable provision for adult education which could be commissioned from an alternate provider or as a shared service with one or more neighbouring local authorities.  The Chairman underlined the commitment the Local Authority had to adult education and lifelong learning and noted that it was included as part of the Education Commitments.  There was a need to consider how the service would be delivered across the Borough into the future and it was proposed that market testing be undertaken to identify potential interested organisations and develop an understanding of what a tender should include.

The Head of Service for Bromley Adult Education College confirmed that a significant restructure of Bromley Adult Education College had already been undertaken in September 2012.  This restructure had been in response to a reduction in grant and student fee income to ensure the Bromley Adult Education College continued to hold a balance budget.  Within this budget, a number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8e

Report ED13069

The Committee considered a report outlining progress being made through the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Pathfinder Programme on testing and implementing the requirements set out in the proposed Children and Families Bill and indicative Code of Practice.  The report also requested that the Portfolio Holder for Education recommend that the Council’s Executive release funds totalling £194,600 held in the 2013/14 central contingency to continue to support work related to the SEND Pathfinder.  This comprised £150K relating to Year 3 funding to support the Bromley and Bexley Pathfinder and £44,600 to support Bromley and Bexley Pathfinder Champion work.

The SEND Pathfinder had been developed in partnership with London Borough of Bexley to test areas within the Children and Families Bill, published on 5^th February 2013, which aimed to take a more holistic approach to special educational needs and disability for children and young people in England.  The Bromley and Bexley Pathfinder had been asked to test the development and application of Education, Health and Care Plans for children and young people with complex needs from birth to 25 years, as well as areas including development of personal budgets, banded funding and preparing for adulthood (transition).  Work had been undertaken with parents through Pathfinder work stream activity, and a series of parent and professional workshops had been held to develop new Plan templates and processes that would support a single multi-age assessment process for children and young people as they moved from pre-school to school and then towards transition.

In December 2012, the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley were notified that further funding of £150K had been granted to take the SEND Pathfinder work forward until September 2014, in line with the timescales for the implementation of the new special educational needs reforms.  During this additional phase of the SEND Pathfinder programme, Education, Health and Care Plans would be scaled up for proposed full implementation for all new children and young people meeting the complex needs threshold in Pathfinder local authorities from September 2013. Work would align with the current statutory SEN legislative processes around statements which would remain in place until September 2014. 

The Government had also announced that £900k was to be made available to a small number of Pathfinder areas to become National Pathfinder Champions.  These National Pathfinder Champions would share learning and make a contribution to disseminating Pathfinder activity on a regional or national basis whilst also informing the local agenda.  Selection for Champion status was based on a mix of skills, experience and regional factors, and following submission of a joint bid, the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley had been selected as one of only 9 National Pathfinder Champions that would work to support non-Pathfinder local authorities. Bromley and Bexley Pathfinder had been granted additional funding of £44K to lead the Champion work across London. Work would include offering support to the 29 non-Pathfinder London region Local Authorities.  As London was a large region, two other Pathfinder Champions, Hertfordshire and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8f

The items comprise:

• Minutes of the Education Budget Sub-Committee held on 2^nd May 2013
• Minutes of the meeting of Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group held on 2^nd May 2013
• Update from the SEN Executive Working Party
• Pupil Referral Unit Board Structure
• Bromley Youth Council Youth Manifesto 2013/14
• Review of Partnership Arrangements – New Approach
• Bromley Academy Programme and Free School Update

Members and Co-opted Members have been provided with advance copies of the briefing via e-mail.  The briefing is also available on the Council's Website at the following link: http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?XXR=0&Year=2013&CId=559

The Portfolio Holder Briefing comprised six reports:

• Minutes of the Education Budget Sub-Committee held on 2^nd May 2013
• Minutes of the meeting of Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group held on 2^nd May 2013
• Update from the SEN Executive Working Party
• Bromley Youth Council Youth Manifesto 2013/14
• Review of Partnership Arrangements – New Approach
• Bromley Academy Programme and Free School Update

Information on the Pupil Referral Unit Board Structure would be provided to Members of the Education PDS Committee as soon as it was available.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder Briefing be noted.

Report ED13067

The Committee considered a report outlining thirteen options for the future delivery of Behaviour Services across the Borough that had been considered at the meeting of the Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group on 2^nd May 2013.  In considering these options, Members of the Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group had requested that a more detailed business case be developed for the best option of the eight that were being considered. 

RESOLVED that the work of the Bromley Behaviour Services Working Party be noted.

Report CS13005

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the revised approach to the Transition Strategy for young people with learning difficulties, which had been delayed pending consideration of the findings from the Bromley and Bexley Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Pathfinder. 

Preparing for adulthood (transition) had been a key part of the SEND Pathfinder and as part of this, the Maximising Potential Project had been established with three Preparing for Adulthood Coordinators recruited to work with an identified cohort of young people aged 14-25 years to maximise their potential for independence as they prepared for adult life.  The purpose of the Preparing for Adulthood Coordinator role was to work with young people and their parents and carers to develop Education, Health and Care Plans that met identified needs and supported long term goals across four key pathways of work opportunities, independent living, good health and community inclusion. 

To support the identified need to develop further education provision and facilities in the Borough for young people with more complex needs, the Bromley College of Further and Higher Education’s Bromley campus had been remodelled to support increased accessibility.  Work was also being undertaken with a range of stakeholders to develop holistic pathways across education, health and care services in the Borough, supporting more young people to live, learn and work in their local communities and achieve sustained progress leading to better life outcomes.  This was being supported through the Raising Aspirations and Improving Choice Projects, which aimed to work collaboratively with a range of partners to raise aspirations, improve pathways and achieve better life outcomes for young people with disabilities.  Through these projects, intensive work would be undertaken with a cohort of young people with more complex needs to enable them to live and learn within their own community whilst accessing the new facilities at Bromley College. 

Work to develop the Borough’s Local Offer was also underway, which would provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities available to children and young people with special educational needs and their parents and carers, as well as ensuring that  provision was more responsive to local needs and the aspirations of young people and their families.  The Local Officer was being developed across three tranches: 0-5 years, 5-16 years and 16-25 years and it was aimed to publish the draft Local Offer by 30^th June 2013.

RESOLVED that the revised approach to the Transition Strategy be noted in view of forthcoming legislative changes as well as the outcomes from the SEND Pathfinder.

Report ED13070

The Committee considered the forward rolling work programme for the year ahead, based on items scheduled for decision by the Education Portfolio Holder and items for consideration by the Education PDS Committee.

The School Governance Working Group had met on 12^th March 2013 and a report on progress in delivering the Working Group’s recommendations would be provided to the meeting of the Education PDS Committee on 17^th September 2013.

The Chairman noted that Member visits were regularly arranged for care homes and schools and colleges across the Borough and encouraged all Members and Co-opted Members to attend.

The Chairman proposed that the Education Budget Sub-Committee be reconvened for 2013/14 to consider budgetary matters relating to the Education Portfolio.  This was supported by the Members of the Education PDS Committee and Member nominations were received from Councillors Kathy Bance MBE, Julian Benington, Nicholas Bennett JP, Julian Grainger, David McBride and Neil Reddin, and for Councillor Stephen Wells as a guest Member.

The Chairman highlighted the priority for primary and secondary school place planning and proposed that the Primary School Development Plan Working Group be reconvened for 2013/14.  This was supported by the Members of the Education PDS committee and Member nominations were received from Councillors Peter Fortune, Sarah Phillips and Neil Reddin, and for Councillors Nicholas Bennett JP and Stephen Wells as guest Members.

In 2012/13, the Education PDS Committee had established the Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group and the School Governance Working Group.  The Chairman proposed that the Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group be reconvened.  This was supported by the Members of the Education PDS Committee.  Member nominations for the Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group were received from Councillors Nicholas Bennett JP, Peter Fortune and Sarah Phillips, and for Councillor Stephen Wells as a guest Member. 

RESOLVED that:

1)  The Education Budget Sub-Committee be reconvened for 2013/14 to consider budgetary matters relating to the Education Portfolio and for membership to comprise Councillors Kathy Bance MBE, Julian Benington, Nicholas Bennett JP, Julian Grainger, David McBride and Neil Reddin, and Councillor Stephen Wells as a guest Member;

2)  The Primary School Development Plan Working Group be reconvened for 2012/13 to develop recommendations for further temporary and permanent expansions of primary schools and for membership to comprise Councillors Peter Fortune, Sarah Phillips and Neil Reddin, and Councillors Nicholas Bennett JP and Stephen Wells as guest Members;

3)  The Bromley Behaviour Services Working Group be reconvened for 2013/14 and for membership to comprise Councillors Nicholas Bennett JP, Peter Fortune and Sarah Phillips, and Councillor Stephen Wells as a guest Member;

4)  The Education Programme 2013/14 be noted.

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it was likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes of the Education PDS meeting held on 19^th March 2013 be agreed.

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.