Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes present

1) Apologies were received from Mr Roper and Mr Cowan. Ms Harrison attended the meeting as Mr Cowan’s Substitute.

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

1) There were no declarations of interest from Members.

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

1) Mr Manion highlighted that on page 8 the ‘Triangular Awards’ mention are in fact called the ‘Tryangle Awards’.

2) The Chairman suggested a number of spelling mistakes and typos that he would share with the Clerk to amend. Members agreed to this.

3) The Chairman asked the minute of page 13 explain that the decision to expand the Wyvern School was an expansion of up to 80 places.

4) RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting on 15 December 2015 be agreed subject to the corrections and amendments suggested.

To consider and approve the minutes as a correct record

1) The Chairman explained he had a couple of minor amendments to pass on to the clerk. Members agreed these be passed on to the clerk.

2) RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held of 21 January 2016 be agreed subject to the suggested corrections.

To receive verbal updates from the relevant Cabinet Members and Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services portfolio.

1) Mr Gough gave the following verbal updates to the Committee:

a)    Kent can expect a fair funding review that will look into how funding is allocated amongst schools. This has been happening nationally. If it follows the recommendations of the F40 group, of which Kent is a part, then Kent schools may see some material benefit from this.

b)    A consultation will go alongside this in regards to the changes and removal of some statutory responsibilities for Local Authorities in Education.

c)    He drew Members attention to a new report from the Education Select Committee on regional schools commissioners. Well worth looking into as an interesting piece of work.

2) In response to questions made by Members of the Committee the following was confirmed by Mr Gough:

a)    In regards to whether this would mean increased responsibilities for Kent schools Members were assured it was just a reallocation of funding.

b)    He also confirmed that it was too early to ascertain which Local Authority responsibilities, if any, would be removed.

To receive the report by the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services setting out the results of the public consultation on the proposal to close Pent Valley Technology College and asking the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee to consider and endorse or make recommendations on a decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform report.

1) The Chairman explained he would not be allowing a member of the public to speak at the meeting. This was because their opportunity to respond has already been explored through the consultation. However, the Chairman agreed to the distribution of a written statement from a member of the public against the closure of Pent Valley.

2) Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services, introduced the report on the closure of Pent Valley School. He explained that it was always a difficult decision to move to close a school. Mr Leeson also gave the following information;

a)    The Local Authority’s priority is to improve and increase the opportunities and quality of education of Kent’s children and young people. Pent Valley School was judged to be good by Ofsted in 2012. In 2013-14 the Local Authority monitoring was giving cause for concern and following the poor 2014 GCSE results it was not believed that Pent Valley School management was taking sufficient action.

b)    Further to this Mr Leeson confirmed School results had plummeted in recent years in 2014 and 2015. A major review of the School was carried out in response to this and an improvement plan was agreed. As the conditions of this improvement plan had not been met the school had been issued with a formal warning notice, requiring the governors to bring in new executive leadership.

c)    Mr Leeson informed Members the number of students going to Pent Valley School had been falling each year since 2010. The school is designed for an intake of 180 students each academic year. Contrary to this in 2010 there were 145 students joining year 7 and by 2015 this had reduced further to only 43 students. The numbers that might start in 2016 are now as low as 34. He further confirmed that as 90% of the schools budget is determined by pupil number this is a serious issue for the funding available to the school.

d)    He confirmed that following the current trend Pent Valley School would be £2 million in deficit by the end of this year. The School has been unable to bring its finances into order.

e)    Mr Leeson stated that it is with great reluctance that in spite of new management the School cannot be turned around in time.

f)     In regards to the future of the site he informed Members he anticipated in 2 or 3 years’ time a free school could be opened there.

g)    Mr Leeson stated that their consultation process had been very open.

3) Mr Vye expressed a view that Kent County Council should assist with the cost of travel for those who were within a short distance of Pent Valley School and are having to move their children further afield. Members of the Committee and the Chairman expressed support for this. Mr Leeson also stated that he was supportive of the points raised in regards to travel arrangements.

4) In response to concerns raised by Members of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152.

To receive the report from 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 Chairman confirmed that contracts of commissioned services within the Committee’s remit would be coming for monitoring at every meeting and that he was clarifying the details with Mr Hotson.

2) Mr Vye asked a dated be set for the Development of new Early Help and Preventative Services commissioning framework (EYP) item on the Work Programme. Members agreed to this being set to the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee meeting that comes after the March meeting.

3) RESOLVED that Members agree the Work Programme.

To receive a report from the Chairman of SACRE and the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Cabinet Committee.

1) Mr Manion, as Chairman of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE), introduced the report on the SACRE Annual Report to the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee. He introduced SACRE itself and explained it has membership from a diverse number of professions and faiths. He also gave thanks to the Local Authority for supporting SACRE and Allan Foster for his excellent work.

2) Allan Foster, Consultant Advisor on SACRE, explained the SACRE Annual Report has since been finalised and would be distributed to all Members of the Committee. He gave the following information;

a)    He explained the Annual Report reflects the activities and works of SACRE.

b)    It was confirmed that Religious Education remains a statutory requirement in UK schools.

c)    It was explained that many secondary schools have dropped the Religious Education short course and that this is a concern nationally.

d)    Members were informed there were two youth SACRE events held in 2015, one of which was held in Sessions House itself. Mr Foster stated that these were exceptionally well received.

3) Mr Northey expressed a view that the value of Religious Education, its good results and the events mentioned by Mr Foster deserve greater publicity. Further to this he expressed a view that the availability of Religious Education was important for Teenagers as they too show an interest in moral issues which are explored and debated in this subject. He explained that it is useful in allowing students an awareness of philosophical beliefs and approaches outside of their own and enable discussion on these subjects.

4) In response to questions raised by Members the following information was given by Mr Foster:

a)    Confirmation was given that the Kent agreed syllabus requires Christianity is taught predominantly.

b)    Students have been able to take Religious Education from Year 10. Since then there has been a dramatic jump in AS entries.

c)    He explained that Religious Education is a worthwhile subject in regards to a number of professions as well as arts and humanities in higher education. An example given was in public relations and human resources professions.

5) Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services, said he was encouraged by the news SACRE is supported well.

6) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services considered and endorsed the SACRE annual report.