Agenda item

Ian Pearson stated that he would present the report, which sought to update the Schools’ Forum on the progress towards the development of a single Alternative Education Provision.

Recommendations that had been drawn up as a result of the Joint Strategic Review were in the process of being implemented. This work was being led by the Headteacher for the provision  Jacquie Davies.

 The report gave clarity regarding redundancy costs. It was anticipated that the under spend incurred by the PRUs for the current year should cover the pending redundancies.

The new service, which would be called the ‘icollege’ alternative curriculum, would be implemented from the 1^st September 2017.

The initial proposal was for Home Education to be separated from the service however after consultation it was agreed that it should remain within the service but its structure and location be reviewed. This review would start in September 2017 and would be completed by 31^st March 2018.

 The structure and cost of the new service would be reviewed in 2017/18. A working group of Headteachers would be set up by the Headteacher of ’icollege’ and the work undertaken would be completed by 1^st September 2018.

Paul Dick raised concern that home schooling would be a problem moving forward. It had been highlighted at a recent Pupil Placement Panel meeting that the costs for this service could be astronomical and if this was the case the service would not be utilised. Paul Dick volunteered to be on the Working Group.

The Chairman asked how the working group would be set up and Ian Pearson confirmed that the Headteacher for the area would set the group up. It was likely that volunteers would be sought from the Heads Funding Group and Schools’ Forum.

RESOLVED that the Schools’ Forum noted the report.