Hampshire County Council Education Advisory Panel Meeting

Apologies had been received from;

• Dawn Casson (Primary School’s Headteacher Representative)
• Justin Innes (Special School’s Headteacher Representative)
• Jeff Williams (Church of England Representative)
• Cllr Bains – Cllr Tree attended as the Independent Group Substitute
• Cllr Porter – Cllr Wade attended as the Liberal Democrat Substitute

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 Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 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.

There were no deputations received.

The Chairman expressed their gratitude and admiration for the staff in Hampshire’s schools enabling children to continue their education despite the difficult circumstances caused by the pandemic.

The panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of County Council’s methods of promoting good governance in Hampshire schools.

The panel received an overview of the services delivery of training, clerking services, school improvement and providing advice and support. It noted the adaptations required for the service to continue during the pandemic including innovative use of IT and telephony systems. From September 2021 these new methods were being mixed with a return of face to face training.

The service had also assisted governing bodies to transition to online meetings to allow governance to continue.

The Panel noted the issues associated with Governor recruitment and the current vacancy rates across the County. It was noted that Hampshire is currently in line with national figures. Work is being completed to empower boards to recruit for themselves, as recruitment directly from the service is difficult.

In response to questions members found that:

·         Recognition and support was important for retention and recruitment of governors.

·         Vacancy information is available by division for Councillors to view.

·         Academy data is not available made available for Governor Services.

·         The service values feedback from school leaders.

RESOLVED: That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on governance within Hampshire’s schools.

The panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the County Council’s arrangements for restarting examinations in 2022.

The Panel heard an overview of the changes in place for assessments for KS1 & KS2 as a result of the pandemic. The panel noted that performance tables would not be published for 2022 but that the results will be shared securely with primary schools, Academy Trusts, LAs and Ofsted for school improvement purposes. The Panel also learnt of the new Multiplication Tables Check introduced and the Phonics screening for year 2 pupils.

In relation to GCSE, AS and A Levels the Panel heard that there would be a choice of topics for assessment in various subjects, where this was not available there would be advance information on the focus of some exams and formulae sheets available in relevant subjects.

The Panel also noted the plans in place to fairly return to the pre-pandemic standards of assessment. This was due to the effect of the return to assessments over Teacher Assessed Grades which saw higher outcomes achieved. 2022 will therefore be a transition year to reflect that recovery period of the pandemic that assessments have been taken in and the disruption to students’ education. It was also noted that it was the Government’s firm intention that exams and assessments for Vocational and Technical qualifications should go ahead in the 2021/22 academic year.

In response to questions members found that:

·         There is a growing realisation of the need to be more sophisticated with assessment.

·         Tutoring services are becoming more popular as a result of the impact on education.

RESOLVED: That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on arrangements for restarting examinations in 2022.

The panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on recommencement of Ofsted inspections in schools.

The Panel heard how there would be a return to the pre-pandemic Ofsted inspections but with some slight changes to timescales due to the disruption caused. There would also no longer be an exemption for ‘Outstanding’ schools with all receiving an inspection by 2026. Those previously assessed before 2015 would have a full inspection but those since 2015 would have a monitoring inspection.

The Panel received an overview of the recent inspections of Hampshire schools, alongside an explanation of the three ‘lenses’ used to evaluate; education intent, implementation and impact.

It was noted that Ofsted’s focus with the return to inspection would be the curriculum and an enhanced focus on; Personal Development, Special Educational Needs & Disabilities and vulnerable pupils as well as those with protected characteristics. There continues to be a key and ‘limiting’ judgement on Safeguarding for all inspections.

In response to questions members found that:

·         There was a return to checks on attendance as part of the inspection

·         There was a significant impact of the Ofsted related pressure on schools facing inspections during the pandemic.

RESOLVED: That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on recommencing of Ofsted inspections in schools.

The panel received a verbal update from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Covid-19 and Schools.

The Panel heard that attendance figures were impressive compared to the national average with Secondary Schools at 91% compared to 88% and Primary at 94.5% compared to 91%.

Staff absence is the main issue facing schools currently but the level of immunisation was thought to be good.

RESOLVED: That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on Covid-19 and Schools.