Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 17 March 2011.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2011 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any Declarations of Interest from Members.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Purpose: To continue the review into the effect of schools becoming academies on the capacity of the Local Education Authority with information provided by Paul Dick, Headteacher of Kennet School. 

The Committee considered information provided by Paul Dick, Headteacher of Kennet School which had just converted to an Academy.

Mr Dick made the following points by way of background to Kennet’s decision to take academy status:

·                    The creation of academies was a policy of the Coalition Government and was intended to enable successful schools to further improve. This could be viewed as a positive way forward for schools, but the potential reduced impact on Council services could be concerning for the Council. As a Government requirement it was highly likely that more schools would follow Kennet’s lead.

·                    The role of Kennet in helping young people to become independent and confident individuals was unchanged and would continue to be the focus.

·                    A benefit was additional finances. Schools were able to predict their likely funds for their first year as an academy based on a Government toolkit and for Kennet this identified increased funding. Funding entitlements were also detailed in a document provided by the Secretary of State for Education. Academy status brought additional responsibilities, but it was believed that these could be delivered more efficiently and cost effectively. Whether this level of funding would continue in future years was, of course, uncertain. There were some anomalies, which included whether academies needed to pay Value Added Tax.

·                    The independence gained from becoming an academy was very liberating.

·                    There were no extreme reasons for moving away from the Local Authority (LA), but it was cited that some Council services provided to schools did not have a full understanding of a school’s needs and this did contribute to the decision to become an academy. The Education Service was excluded from this. However, many schools needed the Council’s support and the performance issues of some meant they would not be suitable or eligible to take academy status.

·                    There were lessons for the Council to learn for future. Although the Council did offer its services, it was felt that this should be seen as a business opportunity in maintaining a critical mass, continuing to support poorer performing schools/other non academies and providing services to academies.

·                    The ability to move gradually away from the national curriculum was another attractive factor. Members were assured that the syllabus for GCSE and A Level studies would still work towards appropriate examinations. However, a carefully managed rolling programme of review had commenced for the curriculum delivered to years 7, 8 and 9. This included identifying those areas which were not felt to be necessary and allowed the opportunity to enhance education for and encourage more enthusiasm from young people. This would also be a motivator for staff in teaching something more worthwhile and making the curriculum fit for purpose. The option of better utilising local resources also become possible, i.e. Thatcham reed beds. The year 7 intake for September 2011 would be working on a new curriculum.

A significant amount of questioning then followed from Members and, in response, Mr Dick made the following points:

·                    Schools were required to consult with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

RECOMMENDATION: That members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information of the description contained in the paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 specified in brackets in the heading of each item.

RESOLVED that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as contained in Paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006. Rule 9.10.4 of the Constitution also refers.

Purpose: To note the information provided for the entire review and begin consideration of recommendations for both the Council and schools.

The Committee considered further, exempt, information for the review and discussed future activity.  

RESOLVED that Members and Officers would provide comments on the draft letter before it was sent to the Secretary of State for Education requesting input from the DfE.