Updates against portfolio priorities will be provided by the Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Cooper-Marbiah).

Cllr Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Education, provided an update to members, highlighting the following:

1.    Merton’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire: the DfE has requested a local authority report on any school buildings that are four stories high and over.  All school buildings in Merton with cladding are two storeys or less and therefore do not fall into the DfE’s higher risk category.  However, as a precautionary measure, checks are currently being carried out to establish the type of cladding used on some of Merton’s schools.  Additionally, the fire safety arrangements of all community schools in the borough are being reviewed through a survey.  So far this has established that all fire safety arrangements are up-to-date;

2.    Outcomes of school Ofsted inspections: the Cabinet Member congratulated the staff and Headteacher of Rutlish School that moved from a good to outstanding judgement as a result of its recent inspection.  Aragon, Hatfield, Joseph Hood and Pelham schools were all highlighted as having retained their good Ofsted judgements.  However, it was noted that Merton Abbey has moved from a good to a requires improvement judgement;

3.    Special school expansion: having previously expanded the lower school at Perseid, work has now started on the expansion of the upper school.  The Cabinet Member highlighted that the publication Children and Young People Now, has recently featured Perseid, highlighting its best practice.  The Cabinet Member gave her thanks to Tina Harvey, the Headteacher at Perseid, for all she has achieved;

4.    School attendance: new data shows that Merton schools are doing better than the national average at all levels for attendance (primary, secondary, special and pupil referral unit);

5.    Merton resident survey: this has shown an increase in the number of Merton residents who regard the borough’s schools as good; and

6.    Harris Wimbledon: the planning application to move Elim Church to Merton Hall was rejected because the planned frontage was not in keeping with the existing exterior of Merton Hall.  Officers have a new plan in place to address this.

In response to member questions, the Cabinet Member clarified:

1.    Merton Abbey Primary: officers were aware of areas needing improvement prior to the Ofsted inspection and were already providing support and challenge.  This will be increased where necessary.  The Cabinet Member checks with officers that all the support needed is being given.  The proximity of Merton Abbey  to Harris Wimbledon is a positive development given the facilities that will become available to the primary school as a result;

2.    Future Ofsted inspections: highlighted this is a rolling and on-going programme.  Officers maintain a list of schools that are due an inspection and when this is likely to happen.  The Cabinet member is regularly briefed on our schools  causing concern;

3.    Governing bodies: the Cabinet Member checks with officers that all schools have a full governing body and that governors have the skills that are needed.  The importance of schools having a full governing team with the necessary skills was highlighted.  Noted that governor training is provided by the Council and that all are encouraged to participate; and

4.    Merton’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire: officers are still working on the results of the survey of school fire safety arrangements.  However, the Cabinet Member noted she is pleased with the results already received.  Also, noted that Merton is going further than the requirements stipulated by the DfE as all schools with cladding are being tested and not just those that are four storeys and higher.

Additionally, Yvette Stanley, Director, Children, Schools and Families, clarified that further information on the schools budget, as a result of the new funding formula, is still awaited and only when this information is provided will the implications be known for the Special Educational Needs budget.  Highlighted that the new schools funding formula won’t necessarily come with the ability to move funding between the various funding blocks as is currently the case with the Direct Schools Grant.  Currently, this allows for some movement of funds which has been able to support the increase in revenue costs driven by the growing need for Special Educational Needs support.  However, under the new formula, the funding is split into discrete blocks.  Whilst a surplus has been built-up that will alleviate the initial pressure, it is not clear what will happen after this has been used.  Highlighted that as a result the schools budget will need to be discussed as part of the Council’s overall budget.