Deputy Lead Member's and Learning Director's Update
Additional documents:
Minutes:
(Mrs J Whittle, Deputy Lead Member and Mr M Baker, Interim Director of Learning were present for this item)
(1) Mr Smith introduced Mr Baker, Interim Director of Learning and invited him and Mrs Whittle to give a verbal update.
(2) Mrs Whittle outlined the work that she had undertaken since the Committee last met, this included visiting Nationally Challenged Schools (those schools that had not reached 30% of students achieving at 5A*-C grades including English and Mathematics); Ashford Computer College, Swan Valley, Wilmington Enterprise College, Dartford, Astor of Hever, Maidstone and Aylesford Sports College, Maidstone. Mrs Whittle explained that there had been problems with the recruitment of and retaining teachers in these schools, which was stabilising.
(3) Mrs Whittle went on the highlight the 8% vacancy rate for School governors and appealed to Members who were not already Governors to apply.
(4) Mrs Whittle advised that during her visits to schools she was aware of the need to look at education as a whole from 4-14 years there was a clear interlink with all schools. Tthe secondary schools could assist with identifying gifted children and those that would need additional help in secondary school.
(5) Members were advised that Mrs Merril Haeusler had been appointed Director of Learning, Mrs Haeusler previously worked for the London Borough of Bromley. Mr Baker would continue in his role until March 2010.
(6) Mr Baker added that two Advisors had been appointed by the Secretary of State to visit 12 Kent Schools, over two weeks, as part of the “National Challenge”. Part of the Advisors work would include interviewing Members and school representatives. This work had to be completed and a report written by 16 November. Mr Baker said that at this time it was unclear when KCC would be able to make comments on the findings but he would be strategically involved as the report had to have the Secretary of States approval. Members noted that a report on the findings would be submitted to a future meeting of this Committee.
(7) Mr Baker highlighted that the key activity in schools at the time was focusing on target setting for sitting the Kent Test from 2011. The School improvement Partners would be setting targets.
(8) Members noted that an analysis of GCSE results was in progress and a report was being drafted.
(9) The Committee received an update of the transfer of the Learning Skills Council’s role to KCC and noted that 16 Members of the LSC staff would be transferring to KCC in March 2010. The 16 Members of staff would be interviewed separately to ascertain their skills and match those skills to the future needs of the service. A programme of work would then be made. The Transition Plan had been agreed. Mr Baker advised that an Executive Group had been set up that would meet on a weekly basis to ensure a smooth transition.
(10) Mr Baker advised that measures had been taken to ensure school preference ... view the full minutes text for item 13