Agenda and minutes

To note membership changes following elections 2022.

DISCUSSION:

The Chair welcomed new members and the following membership changes were noted, following elections for September 2022 (to 31 August 2026):-

 Primary Headteachers -

Maintained: Ms R Saim (Cedar Tree Federation) and Substitute Maintained: Mr C Tribble (Honiton Primary).  Academy: Mr G Chown (Ventrus Multi Academy Trust).

Primary Governance - Academy: Ms K Brimacombe (Whitchurch Primary, First Federation Trust) member change from maintained to academy.

Secondary Headteachers - Academy: Ms F Bowler (Braunton Academy);    Ms J Fossey (West Exe School, Ted Wragg MAT); Substitute: Mr A Blackburn (Uffculme School/Academy Trust). 

Secondary Governance – Academy: Mr A Hines (Education South West Trust) member change primary to secondary; Ms G Sanders (Athena Learning Trust) 

Alternative Provision – Substitute: Ms J Taylor (Wave MAT).

Head of Education to report on key staffing appointments/changes since the last Forum meeting.

DISCUSSION:

The Head of Education (Delivery) reported on the two appointments in July 2022 to this new position, on a year’s contract to July 2023 (to be reviewed in due course).  This was a shared role but with separate responsibilities, reporting directly to the Director of Children & Young People’s Futures, as follows:-

Rachel Shaw, Head of Education (Delivery) – 3 days per week; and

Matthew Shanks, Head of Education (Strategy) – 2 days per week.   

The delivery role included services to schools, whilst the strategy role included school effectiveness.

The Head of Education positions had a significant overlap with SEND work, as well as reintegrating the recent in-housing of Babcock services staff (from August 2022) with the new team now getting well established.  There was also close working with multi-agencies (including health, safer devon partnership and children’s social care).

Head of Education to report on Schools Finance Group (July 2022) reference:-

SFG recommends that DEF support:

(a) The transfer of AWPU and per pupil funding (e.g. Pupil Premium) for pupils who are removed from a mainstream school roll, for reasons other than permanent exclusion, and are receiving education funded by the local authority other than at a school (EOTAS); and

(b) The transfer the AWPU and per pupil funding for each term that the pupil is in alternative provision funded by the LA.”

(Mr Gasson, Alternative Provision representative declared an interest in this matter and withdrew from voting in this matter)

DISCUSSION:

The Head of Education reported on Schools Finance Group (July 2022) reference, which had considered a paper (as circulated) recommending that, in accordance with Schools’ revenue funding guidance 2022-2023, the LA reclaim AWPU funding for pupils where their education was provided under section 19 of the Education Act, ‘illness or otherwise’.  S19 placed a duty on LAs to make suitable alternative education for children of statutory school age who could not attend school because of illness, exclusion or any other reason.  There had been an increase in pupils requiring placements for both EOTA and medical reasons (including an increase in anxiety issues from 2021/22 at key stage 4).  Some pupil placement packages were high cost. The LA already reclaimed AWPU plus per pupils funding for permanently excluded pupils.

Schools were receiving the AWPU and per pupil funding S19 pupils but currently this was not passed on or used to subsidise the placement. The collected AWPU could be used to increase capacity within the Education Wellbeing Team and support within the medical wellbeing team, for schools and settings.  Schools had indicated the value of the team in supporting pupils back to school. 

This proposal sought to provide equity of funding which followed pupils in/out of school and to ensure the best value for money, using alternative provision in the best way.

The Alternative Provision representative highlighted his concern that some schools did not appear to recognise that they maintained responsibility towards their vulnerable pupils requiring placements (e.g. entering pupils for external examinations).  A consistent message to schools would be welcome.

DECISION:

(a) that the transfer of AWPU and per pupil funding (e.g. Pupil Premium) for pupils who are removed from a mainstream school roll, for reasons other than permanent exclusion, and are receiving education funded by the local authority other than at a school (EOTAS) be approved wef 1 September 2022;

(b) the transfer the AWPU and per pupil funding for each term that the pupil is in alternative provision funded by the LA be approved wef 1 September 2022; and;

(c) that the Head of Education send a communication to all schools regarding their ongoing responsibility towards these pupils when in/out of school, together with information on the EOTA/medical provision placement setting role.

ACTION:

Head of Education (Marc Kastner)

Meetings held at 10am.  Please check venue/arrangements https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Wednesday 17 November 2021

Wednesday 19 January 2022

Wednesday 16 March 2022.

Meetings at 10am.  Please check venue/arrangements

https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Wednesday 23 November 2022

Wednesday 18 January 2023

Wednesday 22 March 2023

Wednesday 21 June 2023

Wednesday 22 November 2023

Wednesday 17 January 2024

Wednesday 20 March 2024.