Agenda item

To receive a verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform, the Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services, the Cabinet Member for Community Services and the Corporate Director for Education and Young People’s Services.

1) The following updates were received from Roger Gough, Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform;

a)    Mr Gough welcomed the Government U-turn in regards to the forced academisation of schools and he emphasised to Members that he was very grateful for the cross party views and discussion on this subject.

b)    He emphasised to Members that where standards of a school were extremely low and the Local Authority judged to be unable to support them a school could still be academised. He further explained that as the Local Authority support function requires funding from Central Government power over this still lies with them.

c)    Members were reassured that the conditions for forced academisation do not apply in Kent and that schools should be congratulated for their positive Ofsted outcomes. Particular attention was brought to the bulk of Primary Schools, which have shown great improvement.

d)    In response to a concern raised in regards to the amount of academies opening and that the amount could overwhelm schools still under the Local Authority, Mr Gough explained that Kent County Council cannot seek to stop that process. He expressed a view that what matters more is Kent County Council continue to give a coherent offer to schools and is on that basis that schools will choose.

e)    In response to a query on the changing responsibilities of Local Authority in education Mr Gough explained that policy was shifting towards more distance between the Local Authority and academies. He further explained the ideology behind this implies a school led improvement programme and that Kent County Council would not be as involved to the same degree as has been done traditionally.

2) The following updates were received from Patrick Leeson, Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services;

a)    Mr Leeson gave further information on the latest results from Ofsted;

                     i)        Kent was ahead of target for summer, which is 90% of all schools at good or outstanding.

                    ii)        He confirmed there was noticeable variability across the County with little movement in Gravesham.

                   iii)        97% of schools in Ashford Borough received good or outstanding.

                   iv)        87% of primary schools across Kent achieved good or outstanding.

                    v)        84% of secondary schools across Kent achieved good or outstanding.

b)    He also explained they would continue to drive forward on achieving their targets. Emphasis was put on the strong collaborative work with schools and that any step from further collaboration would be a step back.

c)    He informed Members that they would continue to support new multi-academy trusts opening new schools.

3) Mr Shonk requested greater attention be given to the progress in Thanet schools and that a visit be held. In response to this Mr Gough explained he would be delighted to share a visit to Thanet schools with Mr Shonk. Mr Leeson also explained that progress in the Thanet area had been very encouraging.

4) The Chairman extended his gratitude to all parties of Kent County Council for their support in expressing a unified view on the Government’s previous policy of forced academisation.