None.

Apologies for absence were received from Peter Connellan and Cllr Fidelis Gadzama.

RESOLVED: The Panel agreed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

Councillor Linda Taylor enquired about the scheduled item on raising the participation age that did not appear on the agenda, as outlined within the Panels work programme. Councillor Jeff Hanna confirmed that this item had been included in the School Standards Report (item 5 on the agenda).

Heather Tomlinson introduced the report. Kate Saksena outlined the format of the report and highlights regarding attainment and achievement for 2013-14.

Councillor Marsie Skeete asked if this information was shared with the School Standards Committee. Kate Saksena confirmed that this information would be taken to the next meeting of the School Standards Committee.

Councillor Dennis Pearce enquired about the impact of the Singapore maths model on attainment. Kate Saksena explained that the department had yet to reach the end of a full year against which to assess standards and that this would not yet appear in national standards.

Councillor Dennis Pearce asked about the use of incentives in reducing persistent absenteeism. Councillor Linda Taylor also asked what approaches to absenteeism were being taken. Keith Shipman explained that there are a number of measures including:

·                     Classroom incentives;

·                     Whole school policies;

·                     Case work;

·                     Penalty warning notices; and

·                     Rewards and sanctions in schools

Keith Shipman explained that 62 families were taken to court last year for their child’s persistent absence which sends a strong message to parents.

Councillor Marsie Skeete congratulated the department, schools and pupils on the results and levels of attainment achieved. Panel endorsed this comment.

Councillor Marsie Skeete asked how the council were communicating results. Yvette Stanley explained that attainment was shared at a meeting recently with London Councils and that the communications team undertake a publicity campaign to highlight achievement.

Councillor Charlie Chirico congratulated the department on their results for school exclusions which were below both London and National averages.

Keith Shipman added that historically the council had a high level of fixed term exclusions that are now below London and national averages which is a significant achievement.

Councillor James Holmes asked what measures were being taken to support schools that had not performed so well. Kate Saksena explained that the council provided guidance to schools on what makes a good school; how to make rapid progress; and on provided targeted intervention where necessary. The department also hold regular meetings with schools and use data held to identify with schools areas for improvement. Core documentation is shared with governors to support schools through this process. There is also an outstanding teacher programme for both secondary and primary schools in place and teaching reviews are undertaken by the school improvement team across every year group.

Councillor James Holmes enquired about leadership in schools. Kate Saksena confirmed that there had been some issues with securing the right calibre of applications for middle and senior management which has impacted on ensuring that there is strong leadership in some schools. Generic leadership and bespoke training is offered to individual senior leadership teams and advice given on the correct make up and capacity to ensure they have an understanding of their role. The school improvement team play a role in this but schools also have an option to engage external consultants. Improvements have resulted from these interventions.

Councillor Jeff Hanna passed on his thanks to Kate Saksena for a well presented report and welcomed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Keith Shipman introduced the report and commented on the following:

·           Guidance provided by National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE);

·           Absence of national data for measurement of wellbeing;

·           Positive feedback from OFSTED on the measures in place in Merton schools to support wellbeing; Significant uptake of GCSE R.E in Merton and potential impact on wellbeing;

·                     Targeted work with individuals; and

·                     Development of the curriculum

Councillor Marsie Skeete asked about the take up of safer schools police officers.

Councillor Katy Neep asked if there were sufficient measures in place to support young people in their transition from primary to secondary school, and if secondary school pupils go into primary schools to support young people and share their experiences.

Keith Shipman explained the police model is effective and provided free to schools. Secondary schools are offered the opportunity to fund a full time police officer presence in their schools if they feel it is helpful. The presence of police offices in school has had a positive impact. Young people tend to disclose issues to police officers. This model has also had a significant impact on street crime levels. Secondary Schools will have a 3 year model that will be funded solely by each school this year.

Keith Shipman informed the Panel that there is a transitions working party that looks at how best to support young people within primary school that are identified as requiring additional support. When they move, any issues are flagged up with the secondary school receiving them. Targeted casework is also undertaken to support transition and pupils from secondary schools visit primary schools to offer support ahead of the move.

Councillor James Holmes wished to commend Keith Shipman for his hard work and for the support he provides to governing bodies. Panel endorsed this comment.

RESOLVED: Panel noted the report.

Councillor Marsie Skeete thanked officers for their work. Councillor Jeff Hanna passed on his thanks to Kate Saksena and stated that he supported the recommendations that had been made and welcomed the action to be taken. He thanked officers for their work to date. Councillor Jeff Hanna asked that an update be brought to the Panel on the progress being made on implementation of the agreed recommendations resulting from the School Leadership Succession Planning task group.

The Panel proposed that this would be timed to allow the Co-Chair of the Review, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, to be present for the update.

RESOLVED: That Panel receive an update on the delivery of the recommendations resulting from the task group review of school leadership succession planning as part of their 2015/16 work programme.

Councillor Katy Neep asked why an interim head had not been appointed at Liberty Primary School in place of the arrangements that are currently in operation. Yvette Stanley confirmed that a recent round of recruitment of interim heads had demonstrated that this field was quite narrow and that there wasn’t anyone with the relevant expertise that was identified to appoint to manage this school at this stage. The arrangements in place give the school immediate capacity and expertise.

Councillor Jeff Hanna asked how long these arrangements had been in place and what plans were for management of the school in the long term. Yvette Stanley agreed to update the Panel in due course.

Councillor James Holmes asked what percentage of the need for school places would be met if the Harris Academy application was approved. Paul Ballatt explained that projections for school places are constantly under review and that the latest position was that an additional 10 - 17 Forms of Entry would be required by 2018/19. If the Harris development went ahead this would deliver 6 forms of entry. A number of secondary schools had also expressed a willingness to expand. The feasibility of expansion on St Marks and both Harris’ sites was being explored. The expansion of St Marks would generate a potential 2 forms of entry and a further 2 forms of entry at both Harris Morden and Merton schools. This, along with the Harris Academy projected forms of entry, would be sufficient to meet projected need by 2018/19 and result in 12 forms of entry. However, caution needs to be exercised in these projections.

Yvette Stanley added that the council need to look regionally as well as locally at options for meeting the demand for school places. 

Councillor James Holmes asked if the council owned the land that the Academies would sit on. Paul Ballatt confirmed that the council lease the land to Academies on a long term basis.

RESOLVED: Panel noted the report.

RESOLVED: Panel noted the report.

RESOLVED:  Panel noted the work programme.