Agenda item

Report DCYP12048

The Portfolio Holder introduced the twelfth in a series of updates from the Director CYP on the policy developments within the Government’s reform programme for education and wider children’s services.  The report featured an update on the academy programme, developments within Bromley and the strategic implications for the Council.

Officers highlighted the conversion to academy status of The Priory School and Hillside Primary School.  The Priory had been formally issued with an Academy Order by the Secretary of State on 15 February 2012, with a planned conversion date of 1 May 2012; Hillside Primary School would be converting to academy status under a sponsored conversion route, with The Priory acting as the sponsor partner following formal discussion including the Department for Education, the Local Authority and Governors.  The Expression of Interest document, the first stage of the sponsored conversion process, was in progress, with the conversion target date of 1 September 2012.  Given the projected deficit for the school at the point of conversion as a sponsored Academy, the Council would be liable for the deficit on conversion; These costs would be met from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) rather than the Revenue Support Grant (RSG).

In relation to the issue of ending the annual Ofsted Children’s assessment consultation the Chairman sought clarification that the Department had commented on the proposals.  The Director confirmed that a response had been issued. 

Under the changes to the Ofsted judgement categories the Director reported that Bromley fared well in that they had only one school in the new category “requires Improvement”. However the name of that school was still embargoed.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Director confirmed that both St Olave’s and Newstead Wood Schools had had no exclusions in 2011/12.  She went on to explain that academies were seeking to make alternative provision for pupils at risk of exclusion to avoid the notion of exclusion. From Autumn 2011 schools appeared to be removing pupils by non-admission.

Members were also informed there would be a review of the Behaviour Service on engaging schools.  Another element was Pupil Referral Units (PRU) potentially becoming Academies and the effect that this would have on the service. A report was scheduled on all these issues and would be brought back to the June meeting of the Children and Young People Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee.

With regard to Raising the Participation Age (RPA) the Director had confirmed that although this was introduced by a previous Government, the Coalition Government had not retracted this requirement.  Therefore from summer 2013, it would no longer be possible for 16 year olds to leave education or training and take full-time work.  They would, however be able to choose in which setting they wished to receive their education or training. One of the difficulties for the Local Authority was that it still had responsibility for the commissioning of places for 16-18 year olds but did not have any statutory powers.  The Government had recently launched a consultation on elements of the strategy and Councillor Mrs Manning asked if she could be provided with the consultation questions and responses.  This issue had been debated by the 14-19 collaborative and Officers would bring a report on these discussions to the June meeting to the Children and Young People PDS Committee.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Endorse the approach being taken by the Director CYP in response to the overall policy changes, including local Academy developments; and

2)  Endorse the proposal for Hillside Primary School to convert to academy status as a Sponsored Academy from September 2012, committing the Local Authority to indemnify the proposed academy for all costs and liabilities.