Hampshire County Council Education Advisory Panel Meeting

Apologies were received from:

·         Cllr Bains, Cllr Parker-Jones attended as the Independent Group Deputy.

·         Jeff Williams, Church of England

·         Justin Innes, Hampshire Special 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.

There were no deputations received.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the impact of the Skills & Post-16 Education Act 2022 (item 6 in the minute book). Members received a detailed overview of the Hampshire context in comparison to neighbouring areas and national averages and noted the occupations which were most in demand. The schemes operating in Hampshire to respond to these demands were set out alongside the recently introduced technical qualification, the ‘T-level’.

Member’s received an overview of the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) likely to cover Hampshire and considered the next steps for the authority as a major employer and a County Council.

In response to questions members heard that:

·         LSIPs will work together nationally to ensure that the focus on local situations does not miss the national trend.

·         Work needs to be done to establish T-Levels perception as an equal alternative to A-Levels.

RESOLVED

That the Education Advisory Panel note the impact of the Skills & Post-16 Education Act 2022.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in Schools (item 7 in the minute book).

Members heard how Hampshire had been successful in bids for two MHSTs in 2019 followed by an additional 13 between 2022-24, noting the principles set out to guide their implementation and operation. The governance structure was provided alongside the locations and functions of the teams.

The Panel found that each MHST was led by a Clinical Team Lead, assisted by two Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and several Educational Mental Health Practitioners and noted the training provided to the teams. The presentation concluded by identifying the teams priorities for the future.

In response to questions members heard that:

·         It was hoped that the introduction of MHSTs would have a positive effect on the CAMHS waiting lists. There are routes of progression available to ensure that there is not competition between the two.

·         The schools chosen for MHSTs are chosen by the County Council but it is open to Academies alongside maintained schools.

RESOLVED

That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on the Mental Health Support Teams in Hampshire's schools.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the return to GCSE examinations in secondary schools (item 8 in the minute book).

The Panel noted the various methods being introduced to accommodate for the disruption and missed learning young people experienced during the pandemic. This including the support available following results for students who did not get the grades or places at further education settings of their choice. This included wellbeing and mental health support available for both students and staff on results day.

Members heard that schools had been asked to send headline data for Attainment 8 and the basics in English and Maths so that it can be collated into provisional Local Authority headline data for publication. It was confirmed that schools data would only be used on this amalgamated basis.

Due to the uneven impact of the pandemic on schools and colleges a clear message will be alongside all performance tables to advise caution when considering the data and to strongly discourage comparisons being drawn with performance data from previous years.

RESOLVED

That the Education Advisory Panel note the overview of the return to GCSE examinations in Secondary Schools.