Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes present

Apologies were received from Mr Tear and Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services, Mr Oakford.

To receive any declarations of interest made by Members in relation to any matter on the agenda.  Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and the nature of the interest being declared

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

RESOLVED that subject to the word “report” being amended to read “reporter” in paragraph 17 the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2015 were correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

To receive a verbal update by the relevant Cabinet Members and the Corporate Director for the Education and Young People’s Services portfolio.

1.            The Cabinet Members, Mr Gough, Mr Hill and Deputy Cabinet Member Mr Lymer; and the Corporate Director, Mr Leeson, gave their verbal updates highlighting the following:

2.            Mr Gough advised that the draft Policy on Elective Home Education Policy had been reviewed in light of concerns raised and the refreshed Policy was approved by Cabinet.

3.            Further to Minute 100 paragraph (4) 2015 regarding the role of the Local Government Ombudsman addressing complaints by School Governors.  Mr Gough advised that the Leader of the County Council, Mr Carter  had written to the Minister Ben Watts who was now looking at the procedures of complaints.

4.            Mr Gough referred to the letter he sent to all Members of the County Council regarding the complex position of The Royal School for the Deaf, Margate.  He advised that there had been a positive response to find suitable alternative placements for 20 Kent Children.

5.            Members noted that much of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Strategy had been delivered although needs continued to grow.

6.            Mr Hill explained that Phase I of Troubled Families had now finished.  As a result 2500 families had been supported the challenge now was supporting 9000k families over the next 5 years with reduced funding and with the existing personnel.   He concluded advising that a successful The Troubled Families Conference was held on 14 October 2015.  Members would receive a report on progress of the Troubled Families at a future meeting.

7.            A new Youth Club had been opened in Deal, which Mr Hill considered encouraging and important, in an excellent location next to the Local Sport Centre.

8.            Members noted that Triangular Awards had a successful evening on 6 December.

9.            Mr Lymer gave an update on the work and events carried out and attended by Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services, Mr Oakford, since the last meeting of this Cabinet Committee.  Mr Lymer advised that the Leader of The County Council, Mr Carter accompanied by the Corporate Director, Mr Ireland and the Cabinet Member, Mr Oakford attended a meeting with government representatives to discuss Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in Kent.  There was an agreement reached for the dispersal of UASC children.  KCC was also asked to comment on the draft  Care of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking  and trafficked Children Bill.

10.         Members noted following a review in September on the LILAC Standards six of the seven were passed.

11.         Members noted that Mr Oakford had visited seven Kent Childrens’ homes since the last meeting of this Committee. He was to attend the National Voice Corporate Parenting Week later in this year.

12.         Mr Leeson gave his verbal update.  He advised Members of the Ofsted outcomes as follows:

84% of schools were good or outstanding

84% Primary schools

83% Secondary schools

91% Special Schools

84% of Young People were being education in a good or outstanding school. 

13.         This was an upward trend although there were variations across the county.  He was encouraged by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

To receive the report by the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform on the proposed decision in the report.

1.            The Cabinet Committee considered a report that sets out the results of the public consultation on proposed changes to Wouldham All Saints CEP School, Tonbridge and Malling.

2.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)    the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorsed the decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform on the proposed decision to issue a public notice to:

(i)     Relocate Wouldham All Saints CEP School to a site adjacent to Hall Road and expand the number of places from 210 to 420 for 1 September 2017.

And, subject to no new objections to the public notice:-

(ii)   Implement the proposals for 1 September 2017;

(iii)  Allocate £7.95 million from the Basic Needs budget, which will be met in part by the capital receipt from the current Wouldham All Saints CEPS school site and £4.43 million from developer contributions;

(iv)  Authorise the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of Governance and Law to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council; and

(v)   Authorise the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

To receive the report by the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform on the proposed decision in the report.

1.            The Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee received a report on the results of the public consultation of proposed changes to Ridge View School, Tonbridge.

2.            The Area Education Officer, Mr Nehra, advised that this decision was linked to item B1 the decision for Wouldham All Saints CEP School, Tonbridge and Malling, on this agenda.  The current site, Ridge View School, Tonbridge, accommodated 112 and the new Yeoman’s Field, off Lower Haysden Lane, Tonbridge site would be able to accommodate the current designated number 180.  A Ridge View School Satellite provision would be established at Wouldham All Saints CEP School, necessitating the increase in designated number to 228 places across the two sites.

3.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)   the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorsed the decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member to

Issue a public notice to:

(i)    Relocate Ridge View School to a site at Yeoman’s Field, off Lower Haysden Lane, Tonbridge for 1 September 2017;

(ii)   Establish a Satellite provision of Ridge View School at Wouldham All Saints CEP School for 48 students with moderate to severe learning difficulties from 1 September 2017; and

(iii)  Increase the designated number of places offered at Ridge View School, from 180 to 228 for 1 September 2017.

And, subject to no new objections to the public notice:-

(iv)  Allocate £14.5m from Special School Review budget and £2.3m from the Targeted Basic Need budget, superseding decision 14/00098 taken on 2 September 2014;

(v)    Implement the proposals according to the dates identified above;

(iv) Authorise the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of Governance and Law to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council; and

(vi) Authorise the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

To receive the report from the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform on the proposed decision in the report.

1.            The Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee considered a report on the results of the public consultation of proposed alterations to Grange Park School, Wrotham.

2.            The Area Education Officer, Mr Nehra, advised that there had been no further responses received after the consultation.  There were two responses one for and one against the proposal.

3.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)  The Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorsed the decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform to issue a public notice to:

(i)    Increase the designated number of places at Grange Park School, Borough Green Road, Wrotham, Kent, TN15 7RD from 79 to 100 places from 1 April 2016.

And, subject to no new objections to the public notice:-

(ii)  Implement the proposal according to the date identified above.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services setting out the results of the public consultation on the proposal to commission a .2FE enlargement of Hoath Primary School and asking the Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse the proposed decision in the report.

1.            The Cabinet Committee considered a report on the results of the public consultation on the proposal to commission a 2FE enlargement of Hoath Primary School, Canterbury.

2.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)   the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorsed the decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform to:

(i)     Issue a public notice to expand Hoath Primary School from 63 to 105 places, increasing the published admission number to 15.

And, subject to no objections being received to the public notice

(ii)    Expand the school.

(iii)  Allocate £950,000 from Education & Young People’s Services Capital Budget.

(iv)  Authorise the Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Director of ; Governance and Law, to enter into any necessary contracts/ agreements on behalf of the County Council; and

(v)    Authorise the Director of Infrastructure to be the nominated Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.

This decision is conditional upon planning permission being granted

(vi)  Should objections, not already considered by the Cabinet member when taking this decision, be received during the notice period a separate decision will be required in order to continue the proposal and allow for proper consideration of the points raised.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services that asks the committee to consider and endorse the decision to permanently increase the designated number of Wyvern School to 270.

1.            The Cabinet Committee considered a report that sets out the results of the public consultation on the proposal to expand Wyvern School for September 2016.

2.            RESOLVED that:-

(i)     The Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee endorsed the proposed decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform to issue a public notice to permanently increase the designated number of Wyvern School by up to 80 additional placements with effect from 1 September 2016

And, following the ending of the public notice period:-

(ii)  Approve the permanent increase to the designated number of Wyvern School with effect from 1 September 2016

(iii)  Should objections, not already considered by the Cabinet Member when taking this decision, be received during the notice period a separate decision would be required in order to continue the proposal and allow for proper consideration of the points raised.

1.            The Chairman agreed to consider Item E1 in the unrestricted part of the agenda as the information was now in the public domain.

2.             The Corporate Director, Mr Leeson, introduced the report giving a brief history of events that lead to the difficult decision to consult on the closure of Pent Valley Technology College, a decision that had not been taken lightly.    There had been a steady decline in academic results and with parents losing confidence in the schools performance there had been a steady reduction in pupil numbers.  A warning had been issued to the school by the Local Authority in 2014 regarding its performance and the governing body was required to commission executive leadership to the school, Swale Academy Trust, which had improved attendance and provided quality teaching.  Looking medium term and longer term this was unsustainable and swift action needed to be taken.  There was also an Ofsted inspection which resulted in the school being put in Special measures which impacted the school further.  Mr Leeson said that for the future projections for the Pent Valley school’s area would need three to five forms of entry.  There would need to be new sponsors by 2018 to secure the best pathways for those children in the area.

3.            Mr Leeson responded to questions by Members as follows:

a)     Mr Leeson advised that 10 years ago during the Labour Government additional funding was allocated to specialist schools. The actual content varied and in recent times it was difficult to point to specialism to warrant the term “specialist”.

b)    Mr Leeson agreed that the closure of Chaucer School, Canterbury was well managed.  He considered that with local schools support it was possible to manage the process well to secure good outcomes for the pupils and parents.

c)    Mr Leeson said that the preference was to retain the site for specialist provision by gaining the sponsorship of a Free School with technology/digital specialism qualification.

d)    A comment was made that it would have been helpful to have a photograph of the school for those who did not know the area.

e)    Mr Leeson said that the school needed a fresh start so would not use the same name.  He expected the offer of the new school to be different and attractive for parents of the Folkestone area.

f)     Assurance was given that the consultation would comply with the Gunning Principles.

4.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)  the comments and responses to questions by Members be noted; and

(b)  with reluctance the Cabinet Committee for Education and Young People’s Services endorsed the recommendation that a public consultation be undertaken on the proposal to close Pent Valley Technology College to Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 with effect from 31 August 2016, and close to all pupils from 31 August 2017.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services that asks the committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations on the Plan prior to the final version being considered and approved by Cabinet on 25 January 2016

1.            The Cabinet Member, Mr Gough, introduced a report that provided the Cabinet Committee with the opportunity to comment on the Education Commissioning Plan 2016-2020 prior to final approval by Cabinet on 25 January 2016.

2.            Mr Gough highlighted that the number of Primary aged pupils in Kent mainstream schools was expected to continue to rise significantly until 2021-22.  The number of Secondary age pupils in Kent Mainstream schools was now rising and was expected to increase.  Much of the additional provision would be achieved by expanding existing schools.  This rise in pupils was also linked to new housing developments eg Dartford.   Mr Gough advised that the current cohort in Primary school would move up to Secondary school nearing 2018. Mr Gough referred to page 105 of the report that detailed the position on capital funding highlighting that the delivery of the additional school places would require an appropriate level of funding from central government and securing the maximum possible contribution from developers where appropriate.  It was estimated that there would be a funding gap of £100m across the period of 2016-19, therefore the financial pressures remain.   Representation had been made by the Leaders of the County Council Mr Carter and Mr Gough to challenge Kent’s allocation of Basic Need funding. KCC had received £167m in basic need and targeted basic need capital for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18.  Information on the allocation for 2018/19 was likely to be published from the DfE in January 2016.  Members noted that KCC would not be in a position to undertake any further borrowing to support new provision as this would place the Council in breach of one of its fiscal indicators that net debt should not exceed 15% of its net revenue expenditure.

3.            Mr Gough referred to the Special Educational Needs and those with Disabilities Strategy that was developed in response to the rising demands The Autistic Spectrum pressures continued and was greater than projected.  The delivery of the proposals in the Strategy was on target.  Progress would be reported in the Commissioning Plan to a future meeting.

4.            The Director of Planning and Access, Mr Abbott, advised that the pressure of the Primary and Secondary did not diminish and would peak from 2020-2022.  There would need to be particular attention given to the pressures for places in Dartford, Gravesham and the Isle of Sheppey.  The financial position would be made clearer in January 2016.

5.             Mr Gough, Mr Leeson and Mr Abbott noted comments and responded to questions as follows:

a)    Members welcomed the report and noted the continued pressures for Primary school places due to the increase in the birth rate and migration to Kent.

b)    Mr Gough considered that the developer contributions were not “heroic” and that with significant development an assumption was made that we put in a bid for a developer suitable contribution although this was not always smooth.

6.            Mr Gough advised that he could provide the data regarding the SEND Kent schools outside the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services that provides a summary of the Kent Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Assessments, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Standard Assessment Tests (SATs), and GCSE and post 16 results for 2015.

1.            The Cabinet Member, Mr Gough, introduced a report that provided a summary of the Kent Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Assessments, Key Stage1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) standard Assessment Tests (SATS) and GCSE and post 16 results for 2015.

2.            Mr Gough highlighted the following points.  He was pleased to advise that the KS2 was now cemented in the progress of past years and the attainment gap was now closing and being sustained.  He explained that KS4 formed a complex picture with the changes made in the last year to the curriculum.  The turbulence continued but the test results remained above the national average.  There were huge variations in the Kent schools’ attainment performance, although the figures were still not complete, the figures in January and February for KS4 showed a mixed picture with a decline in the trend for average point score (APS) for students.  The reduced gaps in attainment for those children in care were welcomed.  Free school meals continued to be given attention although it was a good news story overall.

3.            The Director of Education, Quality and Standards, Ms Cawley, gave a short brief on the report and highlighted the priorities for improvement as follows: (i) Early Years and Free school meals – need to share best practise; (ii) KS4 - Look at outcomes for all vulnerable groups; (iii) Post 16 –Those on  Free school meals were in danger of becoming NEETs.  There was a need for an appropriate strategy to manage this.

4.            Mr Gough, Mr Leeson and Ms Cawley responded to questions as follows:

a)     Ms Cawley advised that the Virtual School Kent was due to consult with schools and other stakeholders to ensure the most effective use of Pupil Premium. In addition, the Governance Team will be offering guidance to Governing Bodies on the use of the Pupil Premium in schools.

b)     A comment was made that this was a very good report showing the success and concerns. Congratulations were given to Ms Cawley and her Team for their work.

c)      A comment was made that the VSK was using the PP exactly how it should be used and this should be shared with Kent mainstream schools. 

d)     Ms Cawley stated that much research has happened over the years to address the gender attainment gap. Improvements can be made through the use of appropriate teaching methods. 

e)     A comment was made that overall results were going in the right direction although there were concerns with Free School Meals.  It was the school view that they had spent half of the PP to improve the quality of children with a teaching assistant used to give children one to one teaching.  Ms Cawley said it was about quality first teaching.  She suggested less expensive options such as giving feedback to children; use peer mentoring older pupils to work with younger pupils, they both gain.  There was guidance for schools and headteachers on the use of the PP which included case  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform, and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services that asks the committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on the NEETs Strategy and Action Plan for 2015/16

1.            The Head of Skills and Employability Service, Ms Dunn, introduced a report that sets out the context and ambitions of the NEETs Strategy and Action Plan 2015/16.  She highlighted the target to reduce to 1% NEETs by January 2017.  There were currently 500 NEETs ie 4.9%.

2.            Ms Dunn noted comments and responded to questions as follows:

a)    Members congratulated Ms Dunn and her Team for the collaborative work carried out in tackling the issues of NEETs.

b)    Comments were made about the targets for NEETs; that it was right to have ambitious targets and if 2% were reached instead of 1%  would be welcomed.

c)    It was considered that children were vulnerable in year 12 and they often floundered and the school should be responsible to ease the transition.  Ms Dunn agreed that the transfer could be problematic and there was now an increased focus on that cohort.  Meetings were being held with the school.  Year 11 pupils who were disengaging were a priority.

d)    A comment was made that it was difficult to encourage children back to education and training once they had left school.

e)    A comment was made that this was an important piece of work and the data communication gathering was critical on Youth Hubs and the Pupil Referral Units.  Mr Leeson advised that this was a big challenge nationally too. The NEET figures had reduced although there may be many not picked up in those figures.  To meet the target everyone needed to play their part including the district and borough councils.

3.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)    the comments and responses to questions by Members be noted; and

(b)    the NEETs Strategy and Action Plan for 2015/16 be endorsed.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services providing an update on the progress of EduKent over the last two years and outlining future developments.

1.            The Director of Planning and Access, Mr Abbott, introduced a report that  that gave an update on the progress of EduKent over the last two years and an outline of future developments. Mr Abbott referred to the graph in paragraph 3 in the report that showed the significant increase in income over the past two years with income levels reaching £36.3m in 2014/15.  The sum was three and a half times higher than in 2009/10 when EduKent was established.  Mr Abbott concluded that EduKent needed to retain and increase its market share.

2.            The Officers were thanked for the report which was considered a success story.

3.            RESOLVED that the progress of EduKent be noted.

To receive the report by the Head of Democratic Services that gives details of the proposed work programme for the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee.

1.            The Cabinet Committee considered an update on the proposed Work Programme for 2016 and suggested the following topics to be included for consideration at the next agenda setting meeting:

·         Update on Elective Home Education

·         Progress report on Troubled Families

·         Update on Youth Service

·         Half Yearly report on the Commissioning Plan

·         Revised SEND Strategy

·         VSK consultation on the Pupil Premium

·         How KCC worked with the Kent Youth County Council

·         Working with Kent businesses

2.            RESOLVED that the suggested topics detailed above be included in the revised Work Programme; and the report be noted.

To receive the report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services that reviews the performance Management Framework, a monitoring tool, for the targets and the milestones for each year up to 2018 set out in the Strategic Priority Statement and Service Business Plans.

1.            The Cabinet Committee considered a report on the performance management framework a monitoring tool for the targets and the milestones for each year up to 2018 set out in the Strategic Priority Statement, Vision and Priorities for Improvement and service business plans.

2.            RESOLVED that the revised and expanded Education and Young People’s Services performance scorecard which had been designed to reflect the expanded scope of the work of the Directorate to include Early Help be noted.

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services.

See paragraph 119 above.