Minutes of the Schools’ Partnership Board Meeting Wednesday 21 July 2010

In attendance:

Terry Reynolds (Chair) – Essex County Council Jerry Glazier - NUT Greta Taylor - ESGA Chris Bent - ASESME Linda Findlay – EPHA Mike Blant – EPHA John Hunter - ESGA Sue Hammond – ASHE David Lenz – ESGA Alison Fiala – Essex County Council Gareth Jones – Essex County Council Graham Ranby – Essex County Council Jeremy Gush – Essex County Council & Unison Rod Lane – Schools’ Forum representative Gina Schlieman – Essex County Council Amanda Bentley (notes) - Essex County Council

Apologies: Cllr Stephen Castle; Christine Webster; David Crowe; Doretta Cowie

Item Lead/Action 1. Minutes of last meeting held on 25 May 2010 and matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2010 were agreed.

Matters arising

Item 3. Monitoring of Children’s Trusts

In response to a comment from Rod Lane regarding the Government’s commitment to Children’s Trusts, Terry explained that Cllr Candy had written to the Secretary of State outlining the importance of children remaining a key focus and the strong support for Children’s Trusts. The draft report of the recent Safeguarding Inspection also gave support for the direction of

1 Children’s Trusts.

2. Future Education Landscape for Essex

Terry spoke about the Government announcement of 25% reduction in public spending over the next 4 years, with the exception of the projects and initiatives already committed to. This will have a significant impact on LA staffing and activities. There are also issues around Standards Funds and the withdrawal of National Strategies funding from 2011. The 25% is not in addition to the reductions already being looked at as part of the Transformation programme, but is a larger gap than anticipated. Jerry Glazer spoke about the potential impact this will have on schools, particularly the most vulnerable.

Terry explained that a key priority for the LA is to improve outcomes for children and also look at provision for Able, Gifted and Talented children. The LA must look at statutory responsibilities and make sure these are delivered. There are a large number of desirables but it was necessary to be ruthless and look at what can’t be delivered and what would need to be passed to schools. There could be further implications for schools’ budgets once the comprehensive spending review is completed in October. Terry confirmed that the Government do fund redundancy costs and he is not aware of any plans to change this.

Terry gave an update on Academies. From the old route there are two schools in process of becoming Academies; Sir Charles Lucas from 1 September 2010 and St Peter’s, Burnham from 1 September 2011. Under the new arrangements, 49 Essex schools had expressed an interest of which 23 are outstanding schools and could potentially be fast tracked to become Academies from September (9 secondary and 14 primary schools). 5 schools had applied to convert – Honywood (from January 2011), Debden Park, Flitch Green Primary, RA Butler Junior and RA Butler Infant schools. The LA is supportive of some schools becoming Academies and is keen on a policy that sees Academies as part of a family of schools, and contributes to schools performing less well. It is not clear what the funding methodology will be.

Terry said he was not aware of any proposals for Free Schools in Essex, although there is one in Suffolk (Stour Valley). Graham Ranby will be attending the public meeting. Gina Schleiman reported on discussions regarding special schools in Harlow

2 although it would not be for this coming September. Gina gave the views of Cllr Castle on Free Schools and how he will influence and feed into the process. Terry said there was potential for free schools to become socially divisive rather than focus on improving standards.

John Hunter asked what the relationship would be with feeder schools, and would it be at the detriment of schools that are working in partnership, and also about commissioning. He also asked about Academies’ admission arrangements.

Graham Ranby explained that Academies would adhere to the admissions Code of Practice and follow the same arrangements as other schools. Terry said that all schools are commissioners of services and this is likely to increase and will be no different for Academies. There are currently good examples of collaborative working – primary and secondary schools – and includes schools who want to become Academies. Sue Hammond said there are issues with some governors mindful of the grant maintained process and reluctance to discuss Academies.

3. SEN Provision

This item was not discussed as the paper had been withdrawn, Future subject to Member approval. The paper would be revisited at a Agenda future meeting. Once the paper had been approved there would need to be detailed work around the issues it raised. Rod Lane expressed the need for a prompt decision by Members as the Schools’ Forum would need to review the funding issues as soon as possible.

4. Update on BSF and Colchester schools

Terry provided an update. The BSF funding for Waves 5 and 6 had been stopped (except for the Academies in discussion) but not all capital expenditure; there will be a Capital Programme. There are issues for the LA to look into, particularly as Wave 5 was heavily around special schools.

The decision on the Colchester Secondary Transformation programme had been to defer for one year. An urgent application will be made to the Schools’ Adjudicator regarding admissions for September. The situation is causing a lot of uncertainty in Colchester. It had been agreed with the heads of the Colchester schools that in September they would seek a

3 collective agreement for the way forward.

Sue Hammond said it was important not to forget the other schools in Wave 5 affected by the withdrawal of BSF funding that don’t meet the emerging criteria but still have the same building issues. Terry explained that the LA’s Capital Programme is for the whole of the Council, not just schools, so a whole range of projects need to be taken into consideration. Jerry suggested that schools encourage MPs and local councillors to visit their schools to witness the conditions first hand.

5. Any Other Urgent Business

There were no items of urgent other business.

Future meeting dates:

 9 September, 9.00-11.00 Committee Room 6  3 November, 9.00-11.00, Committee Room 5  12 January, 9.00-11.00, Committee Room 6

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