10.10am Head of Education & Learning to report.
Minutes:
DISCUSSION:
The Head of Education & Learning reported (summary tabled) on:-
(a) Persistent Absenteeism
This covered School data on 600 pupils on a part-time timetable /pupil with 30+sessions of absence during the Spring Term 2016 (breakdown by phase, SEN, pupil premium, gender, completion of part time timetable, reasons for absence(significant number of anxiety/other mental health/psychological issues)).
Discussion and points raised included:-
-The attention of schools and governors would be drawn to recent statutory guidance duty on governing bodies to support young people with physical and mental health medical conditions and recent advice on mental health and behaviour in schools
-Long gap in attendance and coming to the attention of the LA where medical needs were not being supported
-Timely and early solutions required including part time timetables, on line learning
-Importance of linking professionals early on to stop the downward cycle and increased absenteeism
-Schools becoming overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of young people affected and assistance sought from Devon Partnership Trust
-DASH concerns around GPs/CAMHS raising expectations of young people on what schools could provide, as well as the increasing number of vulnerable children receiving Elective Home Education (EHE)
- 42% rise in young people receiving EHE, safeguarding around EHE. Special Educational Needs families in EHE due to time lag waiting for services
-very positive Early Help 4 Mental Health support and training in primary schools, but concern at the suspension of parental support (further data requested eg to measure interventions success)
-year 6 absenteeism increase
-Bideford learning community early help resilience programme (vulnerable pupils and anxiety)
-lack of help for young people over summer school holidays
-significant pressure on high needs block funding.
DECISION:
that a further report be made to this Forum on Elective Home Education (EHE)
ACTION:
Head of Education & Learning (Sue Clarke)
(b) Education & Learning Performance (Quarter 4 - 2015/16)
This covered Attainment and Attainment Gaps, Closing the Gap, Inclusion, Ofsted Outcomes and Overall Performance.
Discussion and points raised included:-
-Gap closed significantly in Keystages 2 and 4
-Significant improvement of take up of early years funding for 2 year olds
-Significant improvement in closing the gap for children in need and looked after children
-Ofsted baseline data measure for Children in Care and national benchmarking database
-Significant improvement in Keystage 5
- 94.7%/ 97.7% primary/secondary first preferences met and 98.6%/99.6% respectively one of preferences met in normal schools admissions round outperforming nationally as well as a high number of in year admissions
-Special Educational Need & Disabilities (SEND)moving SEN statements to EHCPs needed better shared assessment and a multi agency approach to shorten timeframes in collecting information back from agencies and providers as some statutory timeframes not being met
-Devon was a top LA for tracking attendance/persistent absenteeism with year 11 increase due to legal action now being taken up to April/May
-Ofsted outcomes overall % of primary, secondary and special schools judged good or outstanding increased (to 90%) over last five quarters and consistently better than nationally.
-Overall performance showed Devon LA had almost reached the top 10% LAs nationally.
DECISION:
(i) that Sue Clarke, Head of Education & Learning on her retirement, formally thanks all staff in Devon schools for their support and their continued work for young people in Devon.
(ii) that the Forum formally acknowledge Sue’s work over her career in Devon and in the last five years as Head of Education & Learning.
ACTION: -