Issue - meetings

To report to the Scrutiny Committee on the performance of the Education Department.

DECISION

1.     To accept the report noting the questions on home education, de-registration, use of units, school meals, monitoring arrangements, youth clubs and safeguarding.

2.     To note the importance of giving a high-profile for safeguarding in documentation for the purpose of providing comfort to the public, and that the matter is prioritised by the authority.

3.     To ask the Cabinet Member for Education to:

• consider carrying out an exercise to find out why so many children are not taking advantage of free school meals.

• consider whether there are ways of effectively informing governors about how to question at meetings of school governing bodies.

• ensure that all steps are taken to avoid de-registration in our schools.

The Cabinet Member for Education presented the report. During the discussion, the following observations were made: -

Questions were asked about the Immersion System's data, specifically how many start the 10-week course but don't complete it. Data on how many withdraw from the process and how many applications are rejected was requested, stating that this would give a more complete picture than the current skill level focused information at the end of the course. In response, it was noted that the data would be provided and there was currently no evidence that withdrawal was a major problem, but it was acknowledged that individual circumstances could vary.

It was asked whether there were plans to develop smaller settings or more bespoke provision for learners who find it difficult to cope in mainstream arrangements due to neurodiversity, mental health or anxiety. It was asked whether it was possible to combine any such units with smaller school sites that face challenges in terms of numbers. In response, it was noted: -

-        That inclusion was a core principle, and the vision did not involve moving learners into separate units as an automatic solution.

-        The starting point was to strengthen the capacity of mainstream schools and adapt provision, with appropriate staffing levels and training to be able to provide effective support.

-        That more resources were needed to adapt mainstream schools to make them suitable for children of all abilities.

-        That it was becoming harder to support children of all needs within mainstream schools for a variety of reasons, such as increasingly intense needs.

-        Transportation costs and the child's experience of mixing with others are important factors when considering separate provision.

It was asked why there was no obvious reference to the 'Our Bravery Brought Justice' report within the document before them, noting that this was the first education and economy scrutiny meeting since the report was published and the lack of direction could cause public concern. In response, it was noted:-

-        That the response to the report currently took up over 80 percent of the department's time, with a focus over several teams responding to the report.

-        That other things the department was doing at the same time with the same level of resources, made it increasingly challenging to accomplish these.

-        That additional resources had been secured in response to the report and that reporting arrangements to the Programme Board were in place, with further scrutiny of the Programme Board's work due to take place shortly.

-        There was a need to ensure that the response work was more visible within formal reports.

-        The Committee had an opportunity to discuss the response to the report in full in early January 2026.

The increase in home education since the pandemic was questioned, with concern expressed about safeguarding and how it could be ensured that children receive suitable education. The possibility was raised that the trend could continue to increase. In response, it was noted: -

-        That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6