A G E N D a Please Address Any General Enquiries on This Agenda to Deborah Mitchell, County Hall, Oxford OX1 1ND (Tel: Oxford 815463)

Education Management, 10/05/00, Agenda

Committee Education Day WEDNESDAY

Sub-Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Date 10 MAY 2000

Place of Meeting County Hall, Oxford Time 10.00 am A G E N D A Please address any general enquiries on this agenda to Deborah Mitchell, County Hall, Oxford OX1 1ND (Tel: Oxford 815463). Press enquiries should be directed to the Media & Communications Manager on Oxford 815266.

1. Election to Chair (Labour Group)

2. Apologies for Absence and Temporary Appointments

3. Declarations of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

4. Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2000 (EM4).

5. Matters arising from the Minutes

6. Petitions and Public Address

OPERATIONAL ITEMS

7. CAPITAL PROGRAMME UPDATE

The Chief Education Officer, County Treasurer and Director of Environmental Services report as follows:-

This report provides details of the outcome of Oxfordshire's NDS(4) bid and sets out the further schemes being brought forward into the Capital Programme to utilise these additional resources. The report also contains a revised and updated version of the Preparation Pool that has been to the Strategy & Resources Committee.

On 11 April 2000 details were received from the Department for Education & Employment on the outcome of Oxfordshire's NDS(4) bid. The total value of Oxfordshire's allocation is £6,795,970. This funding is phased over the next two financial years. This represents 53% of the Authority's total NDS(4) bid and provides resources for 9 of the 28 schemes bid for. This compares with an allocation for the NDS(3) bid of £2,896,000 (24% of the total). The schemes approved were the top six schemes which will replace the last 3 aluminium buildings in the County and the top three Horsa buildings. In addition to this a separate list of condemned temporary buildings was submitted and three of the top four schemes have been approved. The schemes are highlighted EM7 in Annex 1 and an indication is given where these schemes will now be brought into the Capital Programme.

The Preparation Pool has been revised and updated to include all the schemes where some feasibility assessment has been carried out. The Preparation Pool was submitted to the Strategy & Resources Committee but has now been revised to take account of the NDS(4) approved projects.

Page 1 EM7 Annex 2 lists the current Preparation Pool.

The replacement of Sandhills Primary School is included in the Capital Programme with a start after 2000/01. An outline project submission has been approved but there has not yet been a detailed project appraisal. The City Council refused planning consent for the housing development on part of the site which would provide the funds for the scheme. The Secretary of State then granted consent on appeal but the City Council has challenged that decision in the High Court. That will at least delay the scheme, possibly by up to two years. If the challenge is successful the scheme could not proceed. Even if it is not it is possible that land values will have fallen and building costs increased during the period of delay in which case the feasibility of the project will be reassessed. In the meantime some further preparatory work can be undertaken without committing substantial costs and it will be necessary to continue maintaining the existing buildings.

The Sub-Committee are recommended to approve the additions to the firm programme of the schemes listed in Annex 1 subject where necessary to the approval of project appraisals.

8. PROJECT APPRAISALS

Outline Project Submissions and Detailed Project Appraisals prepared by the relevant Chief Officers (EM8):-

Outline Project Submissions

ED488 - Gosford Hill, Kidlington; ED487 - Banbury School – Wykeham Hall; ED482/1 - Bicester Community College.

Detailed Project Appraisals

ED425/2 - Langtree School, Woodcote; ED471/2 - Oxford School.

The Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED to approve the above Outline Project Submissions and Detailed Project Appraisals.

9. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT POLICY ON COMMUNITY SAFETY

Report by Chief Education Officer (EM9).

The Crime and Disorder Act (1998) made the involvement of the Education Service in the arena of crime reduction a statutory responsibility. It thus formally acknowledges the important link between educational achievement and the prevention of youth crime. Educational difficulties, including truancy, exclusion and low attainment have long been recognised as contributing to the onset of youth crime. This is made clear in the Audit Commission's 1996 report "Misspent youth: Young People and Crime" which was an important precursor of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998.

School improvement and individual achievement can be more successfully developed in crime-free, secure communities. Such communities grow from the active involvement of properly developed and socialised members of society. Recent developments in Citizenship education set out schools' curriculum responsibilities in this regard. However, the duty of the Local Education Authority is

Page 2 broader than that and it has seemed helpful and important to set out briefly the policy of the Education Department. The report commends a draft policy to members for approval.

The Sub-Committee are recommended to:

(a) note and endorse the policy; and

(b) encourage officers involved in implementing the policy to ensure that the Education Department plays an appropriate part in the field of Community Safety.

10. SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCILS IN OXFORDSHIRE

Report by the Chief Education Officer (EM10).

The report describes how School Student Councils in Oxfordshire have been supported through a series of collaborative conferences over the last 18 months. The role that School Student Councils can play in supporting the new citizenship curriculum, in giving voice to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and increasing the participation of young people is explored.

The Sub-Committee are asked to comment on the further development of School Student Councils, to request that officers advise school Governing Bodies of the advantages of inviting students (via School Student Councils) to observe their meetings and to bring forward a further report on developing a Children's Parliament for Oxfordshire.

11. PROPOSED INCREASES IN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHMENT

The Chief Education Officer reports as follows:-

The Education Department increasingly needs to appoint staff to the central establishment at short notice, often on a temporary basis, because of successful bids for external funding such as Department for Education & Employment Standards Fund grants. In addition, the ability to help schools under special measures or with serious weaknesses may require additional posts funded via the Schools Requiring Additional Support (SRAS) budget.

Set out below are increases in establishment which arise from these pressures, and which need Committee approval as they will not be funded from within the departmental budget.

Advisory & Inspection Service:

0.6 Primary Consultant to help meet EDP 1.0 Schools Adviser (Key Stage 2/3 Specialist) priorities in Schools of Concern and Primary Soulbury Scale Management Temporary 1 September 2000 to 31 August 2002 Soulbury Scale (point 18) Funding: SRAS budget plus other existing Temporary 1 May 2000 to 31 August 2001 resources; Funding: AIS consultancy contracts with Ofsted and other national bodies plus existing resources; 0.5 Early Years Consultant to focus 1.0 Clerical Officer (Early Years) to work with the particularly on the needs of 3 year old Consultant and the rest of the Early Years team children and the adults who live and work Scale 1/3 with them Temporary for 2 years Soulbury Scale Funding: Standards Fund. Temporary for 1 year Funding: Standards Fund;

Page 3 Schools Branch:

1.0 Administrative Officer to administer Standards Fund grants for Teaching Assistants, Small School Support, Administration Support for Small Schools, and Class Sizes. Scale 5 Temporary for four terms to 31 August 2001 Funding: Standards Fund.

Services to Pupils Branch:

1.0 Senior Educational Psychologist to 0.6 Parent Partnership Officer to encourage release time for the Principal Educational partnership between parents, Local Education Psychologist and other Psychologists to Authority, schools and voluntary bodies in identifying develop integrated support services for and meeting special educational needs. children with SEN and behaviour/attendance PR range problems in schools of concern. Temporary for 2 years Soulbury Scale Funding: Standards Fund; Permanent post Funding: Standards Fund and EAZ funding initially; then from within existing resources; 0.3 Administrative Officer (Parent 1.3 Teachers in Pupil Referral Units to provide full Partnership) time education for excluded pupils Scale 4/5 Teachers' Pay Spine Other details as for Parent Partnership Temporary for 1 year Officer Funding: Standards Fund; 0.4 Emotional and Behavioural 0.6 Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties Difficulties Outreach Teacher to support Outreach Teacher to implement the behaviour primary schools in early intervention with support strategy agreed with all schools in the behaviour problems Drayton partnership Teachers' Pay Spine Teachers' Pay Spine Temporary for 1 year Temporary for 2 years Funding: Standards Fund; Funding: Standards Fund; 0.6 Educational Psychologist to implement1.0 SEN Teacher to work on the reintegration of the behaviour support strategy agreed with children with behavioural difficulties from Northern all schools in the Drayton partnership House Soulbury Scale Teachers' Pay Spine Temporary for 2 years Temporary for 1 year Funding: Standards Fund; Funding: Standards Fund; 1.0 Learning Support Assistant to work with the SEN Teacher above Scale 1/3 Temporary for 1 year Funding: Standards Fund

Resources Branch:

1.0 National Grid for Learning Training Officer Teachers' Pay Spine Temporary 1 May 2000 to 31 December 2001 Funding: NGFL Standards Funds The Sub Committee are RECOMMENDED to approve the additions to the establishment set out above.

12. DEVELOPING NEW EARLY YEARS UNITS IN THE COUNTY

Page 4 Report by Chief Education Officer (EM12).

The report sets out a range of proposals for developing Early Years Units at primary schools in Oxfordshire as follows:

- Improvements to outdoor learning areas at 19 existing early years units at a cost of £120,000 in 2000/01 and £25,600 in 2001/2002;

- Creation of a new early years unit at Trinity CE Primary School in Henley;

- Publication of a revised early years unit scheme for 2000/2001;

The Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED:

(a) to approve the phasing and costs of the site works required to create good quality outdoor learning areas at 19 primary schools with early years units as set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 of the report;

(b) subject to the advice of the County's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, to approve the proposal to establish an early years unit at Trinity CE Primary School, Henley with effect from September 2000, in accordance with the proposals set out in Annex 2;

(c) subject to the advice of the County's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, to approve the revised Early Years Unit Scheme for 2000/2001.

13. BAMPTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL

The Chief Education Officer and Director of Environmental Services report as follows:-

In 1982 approximately 2 hectares of land at Bampton Church of England School shown shaded grey on the attached plan (EM13) were declared surplus to Education requirements, and the then Land, Buildings and Supplies Sub-Committee resolved that this area should be sold in accordance with standard procedures. Much of this land (1.072 hectares) was sold in February 1992 for an affordable housing scheme, and is now contained in Pembroke Place and the adjoining Recreation Ground– see attached plan. The remaining area to the north continues in use as a school playing field.

It is not clear from the plan attached to the 1982 correspondence whether the former playing field access (shown hatched and cross-hatched on the attached plan (EM13) was included in the area declared surplus at that time. Since the development of Pembroke Place - which provides alternative access to the playing field – this piece of land has been redundant and is a maintenance liability.

There is now a proposal to sell some surplus land at the rear of Bampton Fire Station (adjoining the hatched and cross-hatched land) to the Housing Association which owns the affordable housing at Pembroke Place. It is sensible to extend the sale site to include the hatched land.

If the Fire Service is willing to add some land to the cross-hatched area, there may be sufficient width to form a separate building plot for sale on the open market.

The Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED to confirm that the land shown hatched and cross-hatched on the attached plan is surplus to Education requirements and can be sold.

Page 5 14. CARSWELL SCHOOL, ABINGDON – SCHOOL PLAYING FIELD PROVISION

The Chief Education Officer reports as follows:-

The School Governing Body have requested that buildings owned by Abingdon college are purchased by the County Council and along with adjacent County Council buildings are demolished and the land made into an all weather surface. This would enable the Local Education Authority and the school to meet the minimum playing field requirements at the school. An initial estimate of the total cost of the scheme would be in the region of £500,000 for which funding has not been identified. Discussions have taken place with the school to sell the County's buildings adjacent to the College along with the College building so that the County Council's former Careers Office share of the capital receipt can be re-invested in the school although this would not resolve the playing field issue. Supplementary information on this proposed scheme will be circulated at the meeting and an oral report will update members on developments.

The Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED to consider the proposed scheme, its relative priority and funding issues.

EXEMPT ITEMS

The Sub-Committee will be invited to resolve to exclude the public for the consideration of the following exempt items (marked E) by passing a resolution in relation to each item in the following terms:

"that the public be excluded during the consideration of the following items in the Agenda since it is likely that if they were present during those items there would be a disclosure of "exempt" information as described in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 and specified below each item in the Agenda".

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE EXEMPT ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE REGARDED AS STRICTLY PRIVATE TO MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THEM.

15.E PROJECT APPRAISALS

Outline Project Submission and Detailed Project Appraisals prepared by the relevant Chief Officers ( EM15E):-

Outline Project Submission

ED490 – Wantage CE Junior and Infant Schools – Unification.

Detailed Project Appraisals

ED489 – SS Philip and James CE (A) First School - Relocation ED491 – Hagbourne CE Primary School – New Playing Field

(Information Exempt in that it relates to any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.)

Page 6 The Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED to approve the above Outline Project Submission and Detailed Project Appraisals.

16.E HAGBOURNE CE SCHOOL

The Chief Education Officer reports as follows:-

Project Appraisal Number 491 sets out the outcomes of further investigation into the use of Compulsory Purchase Powers to acquire an area of land 5490m2 for a school playing field and the possibility of obtaining a suitable site by local arrangement.

The owners of the land on the opposite side of the B4016 road have offered to lease a site to the County Council which is adjacent to the East Hagbourne burial ground.

This site is totally opposed by East Hagbourne Parish Council and the School Governors.

An alternative site immediately across the road, forming part of the same field is acceptable to all parties but this is likely to require Compulsory Purchase Powers to obtain it as the owners feel this part of the field has potential value for residential development, despite planning advice to the contrary.

Given the strong opposition to the site next to the burial ground and the distance from the school the Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED to RECOMMEND the Operations Sub-Committee to acquire the land shown on Annex 2 using Compulsory Purchase Powers for redevelopment into a school playing field.

17.E CHIPPING NORTON SECONDARY SCHOOL

Report by Chief Education Officer and Director of Environmental Services (EM17E).

At their meeting on 24 November 1999, the Sub-Committee received a report which explained progress with the Chipping Norton Leisure Centre scheme and requested a further report when the decision on the Lottery application had been received.

A decision on the Lottery application had been expected on 10 March 2000. However, rather than merely announcing approval or otherwise, Sport England confirmed that the application had been approved in principle, but it was now up to the Project Team to work in partnership with them to refine the scheme to a point where the Board would be able to give formal confirmation of the amount of funding.

The Project Team has started to address all the points raised and feels reasonably certain that they can be resolved satisfactorily. The revised information will be submitted to Sport England by mid-June, so as to ensure that the scheme is reconsidered by the Lottery Board at its meeting in mid-August.

This report explains the issues raised by Sport England and covers progress with them, as well as the other items of particular significance for the County Council that members in May 1999 identified for investigation.

Page 7 (Information Exempt in that it relates to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).)

The Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED to note progress with the Leisure Centre scheme and request a further report when the final decision on the Lottery application has been received.

JOHN HARWOOD Chief Executive

May 2000

NOTE FOR SPOKESPERSONS/GROUP LEADERS AND RELEVANT OFFICERS ONLY

The pre-meeting briefing will be held at County Hall on 5 May 2000 at 2.00 pm.

Page 8 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM04

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM EM4

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 1 MARCH 2000 MINUTES of the meeting commencing at 10.00 am and finishing at 2.00 pm

Present:

Voting Members:

Councillors A.D. Crabbe, John Dennis, Dr M Evans, Margaret Ferriman, Mrs C. Fulljames, Tim Horton, MacKenzie, Anne Purse (in place of Councillor Mrs Jan Morgan), Sylvia Tompkins and Barry Wood.

Revd K. Reeves.

Non-Voting Members:

Mr E. Moore and Mrs M. Randolph

Ex Officio:

Councillors Brian Hodgson, Janet Morgan (in place of Councillor Dermot Roaf) D.L.B. Spencer (in place of Councillor Keith Mitchell) and Harry Wyatt.

Officers:

Whole of meeting: J.T. Hehir and D. Mitchell (Chief Executive's Office); D. Brown, R. Capstick and M. Mill (Education Department), M. Bennett (Environmental Services); J. Hydari (County Treasurers Department). Part of meeting: G. Cleve and G. Hendra (Education Department); J. Griffin (Environmental Services).

By Invitation:

Canon Tony Williams on Agenda Item 9.

The Sub-Committee considered the matters, reports and recommendations contained or referred to in the agenda for the meeting, together with a schedule of addenda and supplementary information tabled at the meeting in relation to items 12 and 23, copies of which agenda, reports, schedule of addenda and supplementary information are attached to the signed Minutes, and in relation thereto determined as follows:-

Page 9 1/00 ELECTION TO CHAIR

RESOLVED: that Councillor Wood (Conservative) be elected to chair the meeting.

2/00 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS

Apologies for absence, temporary appointments and Group Leader substitutions were reported as follows:-

Apology from Temporary Appointment/Substitute

Councillor Mrs Jan Morgan Councillor Purse Councillor Mitchell Councillor Spencer Councillor Roaf Councillor Janet Morgan Mr P. Bean -

3/00 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY AND NON-PECUNIARY INTERESTS

Councillor Horton declared a pecuniary interests in agenda item 9 (Oxford City School Organisation Review). Councillor Mrs Fulljames declared an insubstantial non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8(a)(1) (Project Appraisal – Bicester Community College).

4/00 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 1 March 2000 were approved and signed.

5/00 PETITIONS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:

Request from Agenda Item Mrs C. Kyle ) 12 - Special School Funding – Planned Chair of Governors ) Places and Integration 2000/01. Iffley Mead School ) ) Mr S. Whatmore ) Chair of Governors ) Woodeaton Manor School )

The addresses on Item 12 are recorded below at the relevant Minute (11/00).

6/00 CAPITAL PROGRAMME REPORT (Agenda Item 7)

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM7) which included details of the Education Committee's Annual Capital Guidelines (ACG) for 2000/01, and set out, in line with the decision of the Strategy & Resources Committee on 18 January 2000, the schemes officers proposed to bring forward into the capital programme to utilise the capital resources available to them. Details of the Authority's allocation under the Standards Fund for School Security, the Government's Access Initiative and the latest provisional allocation for Infants Class Sizes were also included in the report.

Councillor Horton reported the appreciation of local people and Governors for the new school at Watlington and in particular for all the voluntary time given by officers.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor MacKenzie, amended with the leave of the seconder and of the Committee at the suggestion of Councillor Dr Evans and

Page 10 carried nem con) to:

(a) note the report on Formula Capital and Seed Challenge Funding for schools as set out in Annex 1;

(b) approve the addition to the firm programme of the schemes listed in Annex 5 subject to the approval of project appraisals where necessary;

(d) (by 7 votes to 0) ask officers to write to the Department for Education & Employment, to request that the formula Capital and Seed Challenge grants funding for schools be referred to the Local Education Authority (LEA) for consideration and distribution, and ask the Local Government Association to consider joining the LEA in lobbying Government officials on this matter.

7/00 PROJECT APPRAISALS (Agenda Item 8)

The Sub-Committee considered Outline and Detailed Project Submission prepared by relevant Chief Officers (EM8).

Councillor Joslin addressed the Sub-Committee as local member in relation to Project Appraisal 8(a)(4). He welcomed the proposals to refurbish Stephen Freeman School and to make it a suitable environment again.

RESOLVED:- (on a motion by Councillor Wood seconded by Councillor Mrs Fulljames and carried nem con) to:

(a) approve the Outline Project Submissions for:

(1) Bicester Community College - ED482; (2) St Birinus School, Didcot - ED484; (3) Didcot Girls School ED483; (4) Stephen Freeman CP, Didcot - ED485; (5) The Warriner School, Bloxham - ED481.

(b) approve the Detailed Project Submissions for:

(1) Charlton on Otmoor CE Primary School - ED469/1; (2) Hailey C of E School - ED473/1; (3) Chiltern Edge, Sonning Common - ED477/1; (4) St Nicholas CE School, Abingdon - ED464/2; (5) Carterton CP School - ED475/1; (6) Oxford School - ED476/1;

(4) St Nicholas CE School, Abingdon ED464/2.

8/00 OXFORD CITY SCHOOL ORGANISATION REVIEW (Agenda Item 9)

(Councillor Horton withdrew from the meeting until the debate on this item had been concluded and the vote taken).

Page 11 The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM9) which outlined various detailed operational matters in connection with the Oxford City School Review that had been referred by the Education Committee on the 2 March, to the Education Management Sub-Committee to determine.

Mr Capstick introduced the report and stressed that more work was needed on the issue of proportionality of religious denominations within Oxford's Schools. A report on how this issue would best be addressed would be brought to a future meeting.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Dr Evans) to:

(a) note the amended schedules for statutory notices reported in the Blackbird Leys, Headington and Barton Schools;

(b) agree that statutory notices be issued on the schools in East Oxford in line with paragraph 15 of this report;

(i) a more detailed analysis of the proportionality issues both in primary and secondary sectors;

(ii) strategies for rectifying any perceived place shortfalls, including consultations locally on the development of the agreed third secondary school in Didcot, these consultations to include the status of the school.

9/00 REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF COUNTY COUNCIL BUILDINGS (Agenda Item 10)

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM10) which set out the allocation for repair and maintenance of buildings held by the Education Committee together with a comparison with assessed need.

RESOLVED: to note that £144,300 together with associated professional fees has been transferred to the Education Committee with effect from 1 April 2000 in respect of structural and non-structural repairs to secondary schools' kitchens.

10/00 CHANGE OF ADMISSIONS POLICY FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY CONTROLLED SCHOOLS ACADEMIC YEAR 2001/02 (Agenda Item 11)

Under the requirements of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the Code of Practice on School Admissions (1999) admission authorities were required to consult on their admission arrangements. These admission arrangements then had to be confirmed in the April 18 months before the beginning of the relevant academic year i.e. April 2000 for September 2001.

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM11) which outlined changes in order to facilitate the admission of permanently excluded pupils to alternative schools.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Fulljames, seconded by Councillor Wood and carried nem con) to approve the amendment to the County Council's Admissions Policy.

11/00 Special school funding – planned places and integration 2000/01 (Agenda Item 12)

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM12) which proposed planned places and the distribution

Page 12 of funds to be Devolved to Special Schools to support integration for 2000/01.

Mrs Kyle addressed the Committee on behalf of the Governors at Iffley Mead School and as a parent of two children, one of whom had learning difficulties. She urged members not to reduce places at the school as it worked well, and was much needed in Oxford for children who had "failed" in mainsteam schools. She requested that the Local Education Authority carry out an Audit of how special schools and mainstream schools meet the requirements of children with special needs and that members defer reducing places for one year and set up a working party to look at the issues.

Mr Whatmore addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the Governors at Woodeaton Manor School and endorsed the points which Mrs Kyle had raised. He added that proper consultation had not been carried out and that the School Governors had objected to the proposed reduction in planned places. He stressed that the cuts would mean compulsory redundancies which would result in children losing specialist teachers.

RESOLVED: to:

(a) (on a motion by Councillor Dennis, seconded by Councillor Horton and carried by 5 votes to 0) authorise the Chief Education Officer to set the planned places for special schools in 2000/2001 following consultation with and the agreement of members of the informal Member/Officer Special Needs Working Group.

(b) approve residential planned places for Woodeaton Manor and Northfield Schools as 20 and 12 respectively;

(c) ask officers to establish pilot inclusion schemes in selected secondary schools in the City and Banbury as outlined in paragraph 5 above;

(d) approve the continuation of the integration funding methodology adopted last year;

(e) (on a motion by Councillor Purse, seconded by Councillor Dennis and carried by 4 votes to 1) to note the unsuitability of Woodeaton Manor as a site and ask officers to continue to explore other possibilities for the relocation of Northfield School;

(f) (on a motion by Councillor Horton, seconded by Councillor Dennis and carried by 5 votes to 0) ask officers to bring forward a programme for reviewing funding methodology at a future meeting.

12/00 HEALTHY OXFORDSHIRE SCHOOLS AWARD SCHEMES (Agenda Item 13)

The Department for Education & Employment White Paper, "Excellence in Schools" (1997), signalled the Government's intention to help all schools become healthy schools and the Government's Green Paper "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" (1999), subsequently identified schools as a key setting for action to improve health.

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM13) which outlined the national scheme which was launched in October 1999 to establish common standards and to promote shared learning and achievement among local schemes.

RESOLVED: to receive the report.

13/00 THE GOVERNMENT LITERACY HOUR

Page 13 (Agenda Item 14)

This item has been included in the agenda at the request of Councillor Margaret Ferriman with the agreement of the Labour Group Spokesperson in accordance with Standing Order 19(4).

RESOLVED: to note the positive impact the Government literacy hour initiative was having on teaching and learning, and request a report on how the Education Department ensures that the literacy hour was inclusive and accessible to children with special needs; particularly visually impaired children.

14/00 FREE SCHOOL MEALS (Agenda Item 15)

This item had been included at the request of Councillor Margaret MacKenzie in accordance with Standing Order 19(4).

RESOLVED: to :

(a) note that a pupil was entitled to a free school meal if his or her parents received:

 Income support;  Income-based jobseeker's allowance.

(b) express concern that some parents might not be aware of this, and that a child might be deprived of a school meal he or she was entitled to.

15/00 TACKLING TRUANCY TOGETHER (Agenda Item 16)

The following item had been included in the agenda at the request of Councillor Olive Stedman with the agreement of the Labour Group Spokesperson in accordance with Standing Order 19(4).

"In the light of the DfEE strategy document "Tackling Truancy Together," to request a report on the Council's policies and procedures in relation to truancy from Oxfordshire's schools."

RESOLVED: to note that an annual report on truancy and related statistics was submitted to the Schools Performance & Quality Sub-Committee.

16/00 DEAF AWARENESS (Agenda Item 17)

The following item had been included in the agenda at the request of Councillor Brian Hodgson with the agreement of the Labour Group Spokesperson in accordance with Standing Order 19(4).

Councillor Crabbe moved, and Councillor Fulljames seconded a motion to delete the word "positively" from the text as set out in the resolution below.

The motion was put to the Committee and was lost by 6 votes to 4.

RESOLVED: on a motion by Councillor Ferriman, duly seconded and carried by 6 votes to 3 to ask the Chief Education Officer to respond positively to the suggestion that the LEA should copy the project in Glasgow where every 11 year old was being taught the basics of British Sign Language in

Page 14 relation to everyday life, and Deaf Awareness. Glasgow City Council's Education Director, Ken Coser, has said 'This project . . . will undoubtedly break down barriers'."

17/00 IMPROVEMENT TO ST. FRANCIS FIRST SCHOOL, OXFORD – ACCESS (Agenda Item 18)

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM18) which sought approval for a small piece of land, which would enable the school access to be improved, to be declared surplus to educational requirements.

RESOLVED: to declare a small piece of land on the North of the site surplus to educational requirements in order to facilitate improved access to the school subject to approval by the School Governors.

18/00 LAND ADJACENT TO ST ANDREWS SCHOOL, CHINNOR (Agenda Item 19)

The Sub-Committee had before then a report (EM19) which sought approval for a strip of land to the rear of the School which posed a security risk to local residents to be declared surplus to educational requirements.

RESOLVED: to declare the land (shown hatched on the plan EM19) surplus to educational requirements.

19/00 WANTAGE CHURCH OF ENGLAND INFANTS SCHOOL/WANTAGE CHURCH OF ENGLAND JUNIOR SCHOOL (Agenda Item 20)

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM20) which sought approval, in principle for a scheme which would see the unification of the two church primary schools in Wantage.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Wood, seconded by Revd Reeves and carried nem con) to:

(a) agree that the necessary legal and technical work should proceed with the view to the unification of Wantage CE Infants' School and Wantage CE Junior School;

(b) authorise the carrying out of the necessary consultations;

(c) agree in principle, that subject to approval of a Project Appraisal and after funding the unification to the LEA's Primary School Brief (including nursery provision), remaining assets from the sale of Garston Lane should be committed to improving primary educational facilities in the Wantage area, this to include early years provision at Stockham School, subject to the approval of the Children's and Young People's Sub-Committee;

(d) on the planning of the new School, the Local Education Authority would work with the Wantage CE Infant School, which would consult with the governors of the Wantage CE Junior School as appropriate.

20/00 SCHOOL TERM AND HOLIDAY DATES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2001/2002 (Agenda Item 21)

The Sub-Committee had before them a report (EM21) detailing proposed dates for School terms and holidays in 2001/2002.

Page 15 RESOLVED: (by 9 votes to 1) that the school term and holiday dates for the academic year 2001/2002 should be as set out in Annex 2.

21/00 RESOLUTIONS MADE AT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF PARENTS WITH THEIR GOVERNING BODIES (Agenda Item 22)

The Sub-Committee had before them a report (EM22) which drew members attention to a resolution which had been made by the Governors of South Moreton School together with comments on action taken or proposed.

RESOLVED: to note the Governing Body's resolution and to endorse the Chief Education Officer's response.

22/00 LAND ADJACENT TO LORD WILLIAM'S THAME (UPLANDS) (Agenda Item 23)

The Sub-Committee considered a report (EM23) which sought approval to declare the site "Uplands" which was one of two properties adjoining the Lord Williams's Upper School, surplus to educational requirements. Members attention was drawn to a plan, showing the site which was circulated at the meeting.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Horton, duly seconded and carried nem con) that the report be deferred pending further investigation and consultation.

23/00 EXEMPT ITEMS

RESOLVED: that the public be excluded during the consideration of items 24E and 25E in the Agenda since it was likely that if they were present during those items there would be a disclosure of "exempt" information as described in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 and specified below each item in the Agenda, i.e. information relating to any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services

PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

24/00 PROJECT APPRAISALS (Agenda Item 24E)

The Sub-Committee considered Outline, Revised and Detailed Outline Project Submissions prepared by relevant Chief Officers (EM24E):-

RESOLVED: to:

(a) approve the Outline Project Submission for:

Cropredy CE (Controlled) Primary School - ED486;

(b) approve the Revised Project Submission for:

Wood Green School, Witney - ED474/1;

Page 16 (c) approve the Detailed Project Appraisal prepared for:

St Leonard's CE School, Banbury - ED476/1.

(d) to RECOMMEND the Strategy & Resources Committee to approve the Detailed Project Appraisal for St Leonard's CE School, Banbury ED476/1.

25/00 WRITING OFF A DEBT (Agenda Item 25E)

The Sub-Committee considered a report (ENV25E) which sought approval for three outstanding debts which had not proved possible to recover, to be written off.

RESOLVED: to approve the writing off of the debt totalling £3,596 owed to the Council as described in the report.

in the Chair

Date of signing 2000

Page 17 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM07, Annex 1

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM EM7

ANNEX 1

SCHOOL GRANT SCHEME INCLUDING FEES Bicester Community College 764,624 Already included as part of large project within the capital Programme Chilton Community Primary 1,624,000 To be added to the Capital Programme Banbury School 2.537,000 To be added to the Capital Programme Gosford Hill 591,000 To be added to the Capital Programme Wantage Junior School 320,320 Part of the scheme to build a new primary school, to be brought forward into the Capital Programme Marlborough, Woodstock 364,840 To be added to the Capital Programme Wheatley Park 195,000 To be brought into the Minor Works Programme Stephen Freeman 199,000 Part of scheme already agreed within the Capital Programme Wychwood CE 199,000 To be added to the Minor Works Programme TOTAL 6.795,970

Page 18 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM08, ED488

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM8

OUTLINE PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED488

NAME OF SCHEME: Gosford Hill/Replacement Of Horsa Teaching Accomodation

COMMITTEE(S): Education Start Year: 2000/01

BASIS OF ESTIMATE:Initial Budgetary Assessment

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The project includes the construction of a 6-class block to replace Horsa teaching accommodation. The Horsa block provides substandard teaching accommodation.

2. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

The poor teaching environment imposes a strain on teaching staff leading to poor staff morale and reports of ill health. There is no secure storage for technical equipment and no dry storage for teaching materials. The teaching staff report that it can be difficult to motivate students.

Replacement of the Horsa buildings will provide purpose built accommodation to enable the school to deliver the curriculum more effectively, reduce repair and maintenance liability, improved energy efficiency and enable 100% access for users with special needs.

3. OTHER OPTIONS

This project will be funded from New Deal for Schools (4) funding. This money has been allocated for this specific project.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

(i) Capital

Funding has been allocated from New Deals for Schools (4) with an allocation of £591,304 including fees.

(ii) Revenue

The revenue costs including day to day structural repairs would made form the Schools' delegated budget under the Councils' Fair Funding arrangement but it is anticipated that the new building would provide savings for the school.

Page 19 5. STAFF IMPLICATIONS

There are none.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

This scheme will improve the overall environment and working conditions within the school.

G.M. BADMAN CHRIS GRAY Chief Education Officer County Treasurer

DAVID YOUNG Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officer: Michael Mill - Senior Education Officer Tel: (01865) 815134.

May 2000

Page 20 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM08, ED487

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM8

OUTLINE PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED487

NAME OF SCHEME: Banbury School Replacement Of Wykham Hall

COMMITTEE(S): Education Start Year: 2000/01

BASIS OF ESTIMATE:Initial Budgetary Assessment

3. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

Wykham Hall at Banbury School consists of aluminium buildings which were identified as the highest priority for replacement in the Authority's bids for New Deal for Schools (4) funding. Wykham Hall provides technology, science, drama and dance facilities for the school and the scheme would comprise 6 technology workshops and 2 technology/IT spaces. These will probably be built behind the hall and stage area. The drama and dance studio could be extensions to the existing music and drama buildings and the three new science laboratories are to be considered as an extension to the existing science block at the school.

4. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

The project will enhance the school providing modern facilities replacing substandard accommodation at the school. The aluminium buildings at the school are now very old, suffer from extremes of temperature and need to be evacuated in high winds.

3. OTHER OPTIONS

This project will be funded from New Deals for Schools (4) funding. The money has been allocated for this specific project.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

(i) Capital

Funding for this project has been made available through New Deals for Schools (4) to the total value of £2,537,394 including fees.

(ii) Revenue

The revenue costs including day to day structural repairs will be made from the schools delegated budget under the Councils' Fair Funding arrangements.

5. STAFF IMPLICATIONS

Page 21 There are none.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

These works will make a significant contribution to improving the environment of the school.

G.M. BADMAN CHRIS GRAY Chief Education Officer County Treasurer

DAVID YOUNG Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officer: Michael Mill - Senior Education Officer Tel: (01865) 815134.

May 2000

Page 22 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM08, ED482/1

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM8

REVISED OUTLINE PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. 482/1

NAME OF SCHEME: Bicester Community College Phase 2

COMMITTEE(S): Education Start Year: 2000/01

BASIS OF ESTIMATE:Initial Budgetary Assessment

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The description of the project remains the same as in the agreed Outline Project Appraisal. The project includes the replacement of the last aluminium buildings at the school, which currently house art and music. Additional accommodation includes three science labs, eight mathematics rooms, four art rooms and a music room.

2. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

This remains the same as previously reported. Expansion on the school site is necessary to cope with existing growth within the town. The replacement of the aluminium buildings was the highest priority of the Authority's bid for New Deal for Schools (4) funding due to the very poor state of the accommodation.

3. OTHER OPTIONS

After the fire at the school, a large number of temporary classrooms were placed on the site. Planning consent has only been granted while the replacement classroom block is being built and further planning consent may be difficult if a number of these buildings were to remain on the site, because of growth in the town.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

(i) Capital

It is now confirmed that this project is being supported through NDS (4) funding of £764,624 including fees for replacement of the aluminium building. The balance of the funding (£1.236m) is made available through ACG which funds new accommodation at the school.

(ii) Revenue

The revenue costs including day to day and structural repair are coming out of the school's delegated budget under the Council's Fair Funding arrangements.

5. STAFF IMPLICATIONS

Page 23 There are none.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Phase 2 works will make a significant contribution to improving the environment of the school.

G.M. BADMAN CHRIS GRAY Chief Education Officer County Treasurer

DAVID YOUNG Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officer: Michael Mill - Senior Education Officer Tel: (01865) 815134.

May 2000

Page 24 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM08, ED425/2

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM8

REVISED DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. 425/2

NAME OF SCHEME: Woodcote, Langtree School – Extensions for Music and Adaptations for Special Needs

COMMITTEE(S): Education Start Year: 2000/01

BASIS OF ESTIMATE:W S Atkins Estimate Based on Agreed Sketch Scheme

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The revised project appraisal is required following further discussions with the school about their requirement. The approved scheme consisted of a new purpose built music block comprising a new classroom, 4 practice rooms, office storage areas and the creation of a new special needs department comprising two new teaching spaces. Following discussions with the school it was felt appropriate to agree to a slight extension to the music room and create two additional practice rooms. It was also felt appropriate to enlarge the boiler room and create a sports store as the opportunity existed for these additions to be carried out economically as part of the agreed project.

2. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

This remains unaltered. Pupil numbers are expected to rise and there is the need for additional permanent accommodation to replace temporary accommodation at the school and to provide appropriate music facilities.

3. OTHER OPTIONS

As the growth in pupil numbers is expected to be sustained the provision of temporary classrooms is not considered to be appropriate.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

(i) Capital

The total estimated cost of the scheme is now likely to be an additional £65,000 giving a total cost of £325,000 including fees. The additional costs can be found from the Minor Works budget.

(ii) Revenue

All structural costs, running costs and day-to-day maintenance costs will be met from the

Page 25 school's delegated budget under the Council's arrangements for Fair Funding.

5. STAFF IMPLICATIONS

There are none arising from this work.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Building work will be carried out in accordance with planning permission of the Council and will improve the sites by removal of temporary buildings at the front of the school

G.M. BADMAN CHRIS GRAY Chief Education Officer County Treasurer

DAVID YOUNG Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officer: Michael Mill - Senior Education Officer Tel: (01865) 815134.

May 2000

Page 26 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM08, ED471/2

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT Sub-Committee – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM8

REVISED DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED471/2

NAME OF SCHEME: Oxford School – Extensions and Improvements to the Art Department

COMMITTEE(S): Education Start Year: 2000/01

BASIS OF ESTIMATE:W S Atkins estimate based on Agreed Sketch Scheme

2. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The detailed project appraisal for this scheme was approved by this Sub-Committee on 1 March 2000.

The revised detailed project appraisal is required following a more critical examination of the mechanical and electrical requirements of the new art studios including the need of additional loadings for Kilns, re-routing the power supply to the building leased to Oxford Nursery and upgrading the fire alarm system.

The scheme still involves the construction of two new art studios and a ceramics facility together with space for display and exhibition.

The building has been designed to allow for future expansion by one art studio as part of the proposed development brief being prepared under the Oxford City Review.

3. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

This remains unaltered from the detailed project appraisal.

The new art faculty is required to address deficiencies in the specialist accommodation identified by OFSTED and will enable the school to deliver the full range of curriculum activities and respond to the challenge of raising educational standards and levels of achievement.

3. OTHER OPTIONS

There are no other options identified.

It is unsatisfactory to provide large specialist practical teaching spaces in temporary accommodation and it would not be possible to provide facilities for ceramics, such as the provision of kilns in such accommodation.

Page 27 Failure to provide these specialist spaces will mean that the school will be unable to deliver the art curriculum in an effective manner and would not address the criticisms made in the OFSTED report.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

(i) Capital

The total estimated cost of the scheme is now likely to be £385,000 inclusive of fees. The additional sum of £49,000 will have to be met from the Minor Works budget. The majority of the cost will therefore be met by the Annual Capital Guidelines (ACG) credit approval with a sum of £45,000 being found from Capital Receipts.

(ii) Revenue

All structural costs, running costs and day to day maintenance costs will be met from the schools delegated budget under the Council's Fair Funding scheme.

5. STAFF IMPLICATIONS

There are none arising directly from this project appraisal.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

The new building will be carried out in accordance with the normal planning process approved by the County Council. The design and materials to be used together with any landscaping requirements will be specified in the application for consent.

G.M. BADMAN CHRIS GRAY Chief Education Officer County Treasurer

DAVID YOUNG Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officer: David Brown, Education Officer – Capital Development

May 2000

Page 28 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM09

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM EM9

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DRAFT POLICY ON COMMUNITY SAFETY Report by the Chief Education Officer

Introduction

2. The Crime and Disorder Act (1998) made the involvement of the Education Service in the arena of crime reduction a statutory responsibility. It thus formally acknowledges the important link between educational achievement and the prevention of youth crime. Educational difficulties, including truancy, exclusion and low attainment have long been recognised as contributing to the onset of youth crime. This is made clear in the Audit Commission's 1996 report "Misspent youth: Young People and Crime" which was an important precursor of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998.

3. School improvement and individual achievement can be more successfully developed in crime-free, secure communities. Such communities grow from the active involvement of properly developed and socialised members of society. Recent developments in Citizenship education set out schools' curriculum responsibilities in this regard. However, the duty of the Local Education Authority is broader than that and it has seemed helpful and important to set out briefly the policy of the Education Department.

4. This report commends the attached draft policy to members (at Annex 1). It has been widely consulted upon both within the Department and with the Headteachers' associations (Oxfordshire Primary Head Teachers Association (OPHTA), Oxfordshire Secondary Schools Head Teachers Association (OSSHTA) and Oxfordshire Association of Heads of Special Schools (OAHSS)) who are content that it set out briefly and accurately the ways in which the Local Education Authority (LEA) will carry out its responsibilities. The policy also, by implication, makes clear that there have to be boundaries set to the LEA involvement.

5. The Education Service's core functions are thus recognised as including the responsibility to play a part in forming values and attitudes alongside raising achievement and improving standards. This is an important development which has arisen from the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and which has been emphasised by the recent Citizenship report.

Financial and Staff Implications.

6. The ongoing implication of the policy requires the active involvement of at least one officer. At the moment this is covered by a schools' officer with a community safety specialism. The time available for this work is variable and not necessarily commensurate with the time required.

Environmental Implications and Implications for People Living in Poverty

7. There are no implications for the environment or for people living in poverty arising from this report. There are however, implications for those living in poverty given the frequent connection between poverty and crime and the policy's intention, in part, to reduce levels of crime.

Page 29 RECOMMENDATIONS

8. The Sub-Committee are recommended to:

(a) note and endorse the policy; and

(b) encourage officers involved in implementing the policy to ensure that the Education Department plays an appropriate part in the field of Community Safety.

G.M. BADMAN Chief Education Officer

Background Papers : NACRO Briefing Paper – Youth Offending Teams and Education July 1999. Fifteen Thousand Hours – Rutter, Maughan, Montimore and Ousten – Open Books 1979

Contact Officer : Eileen Baglin-Jones - Education Officer (01865) 815118

April 2000

Page 30 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM10

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM EM10

School Student Councils in Oxfordshire Report by the Chief Education Officer

Introduction

1. Over the last eighteen months four conferences have been held for school pupils and staff interested in developing School Student Councils. These conferences have been jointly facilitated by representation from the Advisory and Inspection Service, the Youth Service, the Oxford Development Education Centre (ODEC), the Chief Executive's Office and the Children's Rights Commissioner for Oxfordshire.

2. A total of 76 schools have attended these conferences (43 secondary, 32 primary, 1 special) and 147 pupils and 76 staff have participated.

3. The aim of these conferences has been to:

" enable schools to exchange ideas about the value of student councils and how they operate;

" discuss ways in which student councils might influence decisions in schools and the wider community;

" look at ways of producing some guidelines to help School Student Councils develop good practice and become more effective.

4. Reports from each of these conferences have been placed in the Member's Resource Centre.

5. In March a representative group of the pupils that have attended the conferences have come together as an (elected) 'editorial' group in order to create a good practice guide for Oxfordshire schools. This guide 'School Council Alert 2000' will be published in June and distributed to all schools. School Student Councils in Oxfordshire will also have a dedicated link on the County's website for young people.

Citizenship

6. School Student Councils have a vitally important part to play in developing citizenship education and learning about democracy for young people. The Citizenship Order for Key Stage 3 and 4 will be statutory from September 2002. The Personal, Social and Health Education and Key Stage 1 and 2 citizenship frameworks are non-statutory but set out clearly a framework for inclusion and teaching about democracy. Professor Crick of the Citizenship Advisory Group has said "school councils are of obvious and considerable importance …….. a sign that a school takes citizenship learning seriously. They are a most excellent training ground in responsibility for future citizens". In order to implement the new requirements of Citizenship Education and in support of the personal, social and health education of young people schools need to consider how their members listen to

Page 31 one another, how they understand how decisions are made and how they have a right to participation.

Children's Rights

7. On 16 December 1999 the Education Committee considered a report on the 'Children's Rights Commissioner. This report contained reference to the Oxfordshire Children's Rights Needs Assessment survey and the resulting recommendations. The survey makes a number of references to School Student Councils and consultation and recommends that "decisions made by children and young people at school councils be implemented, that school councils be promoted and that young people have their involvement in the process credited".

8. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all people under 18 have the right to:

" 'say what they think and be listened to by adults when they make decisions that affect them' (Article 12);

" 'express what they think unless it is against other people's rights' (Article 13);

" 'education which tries to develop personality and abilities as much as possible and encourages respect of other people's rights and values' (Article 29).

Aims of the County Council

9. The aims of the County Council stress democracy, delegation, partnership, equality and the environment. Well run school student councils can do much to exemplify these aims in practice.

10. On 30 March 1999 the Education Committee considered ways in which school pupils could do more to contribute to the development of Local Education Authority (LEA) policy; (Pupils Forums – Agenda Item 18 Minute 18/99 refers). A County which supports and nurtures School Student Councils will be able to establish a truly effective means of engaging young people and consulting with them.

11. Local Agenda 21 and issues of sustainable development are important to the County Council and resonate with the concerns of many young people. Young people have been identified as an under-represented group in environmental decision making. School councils can play an important part in raising awareness and developing aspirations for sustainable communities in the future.

Increasing the Participation of Young People

12. The Community Education (Youth & Adult) Sub-Committee considered a number of reports on the work of the Youth Panels (a joint initiative between the Youth Service, the Health Authority and Social Services). The aim of these Panels (for those aged 13 to 20) has been to develop a process, through which, young people can be heard and for their views to affect change. Panel members have made a number of comments about schools and if more young people are to be able to develop the skills to join these panels then it seems reasonable to consider how School Student Councils can act as an early 'training ground' in primary schools and link in to the Youth Panels at the secondary stage.

13. The Sub-Committee will be aware of the requirement under the Children's Act to conduct a Childcare Audit. Consultation with children is a vital part of the audit process and School Student

Page 32 Councils are considered to be an important and practical way of increasing the opportunity for young people to participate in the audit process.

Some Research on School Student Councils

14. The School Improvement Network's Research Matters No 6 explores the reasons for pupils being involved in school improvement. In summary the report states "student perspectives are for the most part missing in discussions concerning strategies for confronting educational problems". Joan Ruddock states "those bent on improvement in schools might usefully start by inviting pupils to talk about what diminishes their motivation and engagement. It seems illogical if the very people who are at the heart of improvement initiatives in schools are not consulted about the things that might be done to help them achieve". Once again School Student Councils would seem to be a logical forum for such consultation. The LEA is also presently considering a joint initiative with the Keele Centre for School Improvement called 'The Pupil's Voice'; a further report will be prepared on this subject in due course.

15. The Elton Enquiry Report (HMSO, 1989) recommended that teachers should give students every opportunity to take responsibilities. The Enquiry found that:

(i) where students had greater autonomy their motivation improved;

(ii) school councils often discussed rules and behaviour and it suggested that the councils could help students develop a sense of collective responsibility (but this came with the warning that if student views were ignored the council could itself become a liability).

16. A school council may be seen as ineffectual if immediate goals are not achieved. The final reports of the ESRC research into "Civil Rights in Schools (1999) shows that only one fifth of school pupils believe that they have an effective school council. Even the youngest children surveyed (8 year olds) knew the difference between democratic and sham councils. There was cynicism or anger about token councils which could seem worse to them than having no council at all. Effective councils need time and nurturing with clear indications of effective practice.

17. It is for this reason that young people themselves have been engaged over an 18 month period in Oxfordshire in putting together some guidelines for good practice of their own. The aim now must be to involve 'effective' school councils in supporting others and to engage the commitment of teachers and governors. (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has also produced some guidance which is shown in Annex 1 as an indication of what can constitute effective working).

18. The recently published report of the Policy Action Team 'Schools Plus: Building Learning Communities' (Jan 2000) recommends "Young Citizen's Forums should be developed for both primary and secondary students co-led by young people and in partnership with key adult decision-makers. The infrastructure for school councils should be strengthened and developed, and their usefulness should be evaluated by young people working to an agreed standard".

Students on School Governing Bodies

19. It seems a natural extension of the principles that underpin student councils that school students' voices and opinions should also be available to school Governing Bodies. Many schools, but by no means all, have encouraged student observers at Governing Body meetings. Given the establishment of so many student councils it would seem reasonable to recommend that school Governing Bodies consider inviting a representative of the School's Student Council to observe their meetings and participate in relevant discussions. This would offer the school pupils a vehicle for communicating directly with the Governing Body and give Governors an effective means of

Page 33 communicating directly back to the pupil body whose interests they are trying to serve. Naturally student observers, as with any other observer at such a meeting, would not be able to participate in any item of a restricted and confidential nature.

A Children's Parliament

20. A Children's Parliament for Oxfordshire could be an important development which this Sub-Committee could help to initiate. Such a Parliament could be made up from representatives of School Student Councils (possibly from 'district' based forums) and meet termly in the Council Chamber. This could provide the young 'councillors' with an invaluable introduction into the political process and present a means to young people to express their views on a variety of relevant and local matters.

Conclusion

21. The involvement of school pupils in student councils is a recognition of young people's right to a voice in affairs which most directly affect them. The way in which schools nurture and support effective student councils not only empowers young people but gives them the early essential experience of a living democratic institution. In giving voice to pupils' views school councils contribute to the process of education itself; they help to develop decision-making skills, listening skills, oracy, confidence and involvement, as well as developing an understanding of the way that schools and the education system functions.

22. The Advisory Centre for Education in their 1995 research on student councils identified two further significant educational issues:

(i) involving students in planning for behaviour management improves discipline in schools; (ii) respect for the opinions of young people is a vital ingredient of a well-ordered school community and an essential part of meaningful education for citizenship, and demonstrates the school's commitment to the rights of its students.

Environmental Implications

23. As stated in paragraph 11 School Student Councils are a good way to engage young people in issues concerned with the environment.

Implications for People Living in Poverty

24. School Student Councils support the principle of inclusion and can do much to raise the self-esteem of participants as well as enabling young people to address directly issues concerned with poverty and social exclusion.

Staff Implications

25. There are no implications arising directly from this report.

Financial Implications

26. If the Sub-Committee are minded to proceed with the proposal to establish a Children's Parliament there may be financial implications to be considered at a later date.

Page 34 Recommendations

27. The Sub-Committee are recommended to:

(a) receive the report and make any further comments on the development of student councils in Oxfordshire schools;

(b) request officers to advise school Governing Bodies of the advantages of inviting students (via their School Student Council) to observe Governing Body meetings; and

(c) request officers to bring forward a follow-up report detailing the practicalities of developing a Children's Parliament for Oxfordshire.

G.M. Badman Chief Education Officer

Background Papers:

'Schools Plus: Building Learning Communities', DfEE (Jan 2000) 'Civil Rights in Schools' ESRC Report (March 1999) 'School Councils – The views of Students and Teachers (NSPCC 1999) 'Involving Pupils' Research Matters (Inst. of Education 1997) 'Involving young people in decision making' Oxfordshire Children's Rights Needs Assessment National Curriculum Citizenship Order 'Children's Rights Commissioner' – Report to Education Committee 16.12.99 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child The Work of the Youth Panels – Report to Community Education sub-committee 2.11.98 Children's Voices in School Matters – Advisory Centre of Education (1995) 'Promoting Children and Young People's Democratic Participation in Local Government'. LGIU (97)

Contact Officer: Frank Newhofer, Senior Adviser for Schools and Community Tel: (01865) 428116

April 2000

Page 35 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM10, Annex 1

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM EM10

School Student Councils in Oxfordshire ANNEX 1

A Working Group within NSPCC put together the following list as guidance on what would contribute to an effective Council:

" a constitution which clarifies the role and function of the Council;

" structures that create opportunities for all students to be heard;

" a school ethos where all members of the school community feel respected and where teachers are regarded as professionals and consulted on aspects of the school where they work;

" frequent meetings with opportunities for immediate feedback and discussion with constituent groups;

" meetings which are held in lesson time;

" a dedicated budget and the opportunities to engage in fundraising;

" training and support for teachers and pupils to carry out their role;

" links between councils and teachers, parents and Governors;

" agendas which are wide ranging, not tightly prescribed by any teacher and which include pupils' concerns, wider school policy issues and encompass matters affecting teaching and learning;

" support from the majority of teachers;

" the opportunities to air any differences that exist between participants and to monitor and discuss them.

Page 36 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM12

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM EM12

DEVELOPING EARLY YEARS UNITS IN OXFORDSHIRE Report by Chief Education Officer

Introduction

2. The report sets out a range of proposals for developing early years units in primary schools in Oxfordshire. The proposals include:

- Minor capital works to create outdoor learning areas of good quality at 19 of the existing early years units in the County;

- Creation of a new Early Years Unit at Trinity CE Primary School, Henley;

- Approval of the County Council's revised Early Years Unit Scheme for 2000/2001.

Outdoor Learning Areas

3. On 20 January, the Early Years Sub-Committee recommended that the revenue provision be set aside in the County Council's budget for developing outdoor learning areas at existing early years units. This followed a detailed review of the work of units by the Education Department's Early Years Team in Spring 1999 and a subsequent premises assessment of the costs of developing good quality outdoor learning areas at existing early years units.

4. Following the Sub-Committee's recommendation, the Education Committee agreed on 24 January 2000 that the following sums should be earmarked for this purpose from the Committee's early years development monies:

£ 2000/2001 - 120,000 2001/2002 - 22,000 142,000

However, in approving these sums the Committee made no allowance for the costs of the scheme at St Joseph's RC Primary School, Thame. This is because these were not available at the Early Years Sub-Committee meeting on 20 January 2000. Following a further site visit to the school, these costs have now been included in the full list of schemes which is set out in Annex 1.

5. As far as the phasing of the 19 schemes over the next two financial years is concerned, proposals for this are set out below. The proposals reflect the educational priority of each scheme as assessed by the Early Years Team.

Page 37 2000/2001 Abingdon, St Edmunds RC RAF Benson CP Banbury, Harriers Ground CP Banbury, Queensway CP Banbury, St John's RC Banbury, St Joseph's RC 2000/2001 (cont.) Bicester, St Mary's RC Bodicote, Bishop Loveday CE Dry Sandford Marcham CE Thame, Barley Hill CP Thame, St Joseph's RC Witney, Queen's Dyke CP Witney, Tower Hill CP Yarnton, William Fletcher CP

2001/2002 Abingdon, Carswell CP Banbury, The Grange CP Launton CE Witney, St Mary's CE.

6. The 15 schemes proposed for starting in 2000/01 can be financed from the £120,000 financial provision set aside for this purpose. The five schemes proposed to start in 2001/2 are now estimated to cost £25,600. This is £3,600 more than the financial provision agreed by the Education Committee on 24 January 2000.

New Early Years Unit at Trinity CE School, Henley

7. The main details of the proposal detailed by the school and of the subsequent assessment and approval processes are set out in Annex 2 (circulated to members of this Sub-Committee and relevant officers only. A copy is also available for public inspection). Full details of the school's submission and of the representations received in relation to it are available in the members' resources centre.

8. The proposal is being discussed by the County Council's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership on 8 May. The comments and recommendations of the Partnership will be reported orally to the Sub-Committee.

Early Years Unit Scheme, 2000/2001

9. The revised scheme for 2000/2001 is set out in Annex 3 (circulated to members of this Sub-Committee and relevant officers only. A copy is also available for public inspection). This is also being discussed by County Council's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership on 8 May. The Partnership's comments will be reported orally to the Sub-Committee.

Page 38 Environmental, Financial and Staff Implications and Implications for People Living in Poverty

10. The development of good quality outdoor learning areas at early years units in the county will improve the learning and physical environment for the young children at the schools concerned.

11. The financial implications of the items set out in this report are as follows:

Outdoor Learning Areas – these are set out in paragraph 5 above. As far as the estimated extra costs for 2001/2002 are concerned, these can be found from the sum of £107,000 that has been left unallocated in the early years development budget, following the Education Committee's decisions on 24 January.

Proposed Early Years Unit At Trinity CE School – the additional revenue costs of admitting younger four year olds to the school are set out in Annex 2. These costs can be met in full from national early years grant for four year olds.

12. There are no significant implications for staff or for people living in poverty arising from this report.

Recommendations

13. The Sub-Committee are RECOMMENDED:

(b) subject to the advice of the County Council's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, to approve the proposal to establish an Early Years Unit at Trinity CE Primary School, Henley with effect from September 2000, in accordance with the proposals as set out in Annex 2;

(c) subject to the advice of the County Council's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, to approve the revised Early Years Unit Scheme for 2000/2001.

G M Badman Chief Education Officer

Background papers: Early Years Unit proposal from Trinity CE Primary School, Henley – February 2000 (copy in Members' Resource Centre).

Contact officer:Rick Harmes, Principal Education Officer, Tel: 01865 810626.

April 2000

Page 39 Education Management, 10/05/00, EM12, Annex 2

Education Committee EDUCATION MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE – 10 MAY 2000 AGENDA ITEM EM12

DEVELOPING EARLY YEARS UNITS IN OXFORDSHIRE Annex 2

EARLY YEARS UNIT PROPOSAL Summary of Key Points HENLEY, TRINITY CE PRIMARY SCHOOL

1. Commentary

In January 2000, the school had 282 pupils on roll, of which 16 were in the reception year. In 2000/01, the school has a special needs index of 6.23%.

Trinity School submitted a previous EYU proposal in June 1998. This was considered by the County's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership in September 1998. A decision on the proposal was deferred due to insufficient information being available at the time. The school subsequently agreed to withdraw its application and to prepare it for re-submission at a later date.

The school's current proposal is to set up an Early Years Unit in spare accommodation within the main school building. In order to achieve this, the school wishes to introduce a pattern of admitting reception year children one term early in both the Autumn and the Spring terms. The school wishes this proposal to take effect from September 2000. In future years, the school may move to a pattern of all four year old children being admitted in the September after their fourth birthday.

For the academic year 2000/2001, the school estimates that it will have a total of 45 reception year children on roll. Of these, 15 will be younger than rising five in the Autumn term 2001 and 12 in the Spring term 2001. Admissions are expected to remain at this level in future years with some 30 children who are younger than rising five being admitted each year. The additional resource implications of the school's proposals are estimated at £9,300 in 2000/01 and £13,900 per annum in subsequent years.

Trinity School has a pre-school located on its site: New Trinity Pre-School. The Pre-School occupies its own separately owned building on the site.

In the nursery development priorities prepared by South Oxfordshire Divisional Officers in November 1995, Trinity Primary School was not one of the eight priority schemes listed for possible future development.

2. Quality Assessment

This was carried out by the Education Department's Early Years Team in April 2000 (see copy attached). The conclusion of the assessment is that the school 'has the ingredients or has planned for what could be an Early Years Unit to offer good quality educational experience to children in the reception year'. On quality grounds, therefore, the establishment of an Early Years Unit can be recommended.

3. Premises Assessment

Page 40 This was carried out by the Education Department's Premises Development Section in April 2000. The conclusion of the assessment (see copy attached) is that the school has sufficient accommodation and suitable facilities to establish an Early Years Unit within its current buildings.

4. Consultation with other providers

The school has consulted other LEA primary schools in Henley Town on its proposal, as well as pre-school providers in the private, voluntary sector and independent sectors. The school has received 9 replies from the following providers:

Valley Road Primary School + Badgemore Pre-School * New Trinity Pre-School * Harpsden Hall (Pre-School) + Cygnets Nursery (Private) Stepping Stones Nursery (Private) Treetops Day Nursery (Private) * Rupert House School (Independent) St Mary's School (Independent)

Three of these replies (those marked with an asterisk) express quite strong concerns about the school's EYU proposal. Two other replies (marked with a cross) express mild concerns. One reply expresses clear support.

Following official receipt of the proposal, the Chief Education Officer sent out letters to the 7 primary schools in the Henley Partnership and to 10 other pre-school providers in the Henley area, asking them if they have any comments on the proposal.

At the time of preparing this summary one of these 17 providers (New Trinity Pre-School) has written to the Authority expressing strong concerns about the proposal (see copy of letter attached).

5. Divisional Liaison Panel

The school's EYU proposal was discussed by the South Oxfordshire Divisional Liaison Panel on 13 April. The Panel heard a presentation in support of the proposal by representatives of the School Governors and another presentation objecting to the proposal by representatives of New Trinity Pre-School. After a full discussion, the Panel concluded that its concerns about the proposal outweighed the points in favour. The Panel voted by 5 votes to none (with 1 abstention) not to support the proposal.

6. Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership

The proposal is due to be presented to the County's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership on 8 May.

7. Education Management Sub-Committee

The proposal is due to be presented to the Sub-Committee on 10 May.

RLH

Page 41 April 2000

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