Hampshire County Council Education Advisory Panel Meeting

Apologies have been received from:

• Cllr Pankhurst
• Jeff Williams, Church of England
• Sharron Morton, Hampshire Primary Schools

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

The Panel received no deputations.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the delivery of religious education within Hampshire.

Officers set out the historical contect of religious education (RE) alongside the role of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). Members noted that the SACRE advised the Local Authority and headteachers on the teaching of RE and the provision of collective worship in schools. The SACRE also produced the local syllabus for the subject.

In response to questions members found that:

·         A newseltter was produced for teachers which signposted to key issues and resources available to them.

·         The subject is taught in Special schools as far as is reasonable practicable.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on Religious Education Provision and that an item on this topic be added to the Member Briefing Programme.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of Hampshire’s post-16 and adult learning provision.

Officer’s set out the details of four separate areas which made up this provision as set out below:

·         Hampshire Futures – which had the statutory responsibility for post 16 education and training participation, NEET support, and traded careers service for schools and colleges.

·         Hampshire Outdoors - providing outdoor education programmes to support progression, bikeability, study centres, and health, safety and risk management for school and college offsite activities.

·         Secure & Specialist Education - provision in residential care and hospital settings, and direct tutoring provision for children medically unwell and/or missing education.

·         Hampshire Achieves - regulated DfE curriculum programmes supporting strategic priorities for young people and adults, including Supported Internships, Adult & Community Learning, and Apprenticeships.

In response to questions members found that:

·         Supported internships were a very encouraging introduction, managed via the Hampshire 2050 Directorate to find the best emplyers in Hampshire, which were risk assessed and quality checked.

·         Support was available with independent travel training.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on Post-16 and Adult Learning Provision.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the transformation of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision withing Hampshire.

Members heard that the Transforming SEND programme builds on the LA’s previous High Needs transformation workstreams with an overarching vision for all children and young people with SEND in Hampshire to be empowered to achieve outstanding outcomes. Officers set out details of the various workstreams within the programme and noted that a full update would be provided at a future Panel meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on Transforming Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision.