Agenda item

Head of Education & Learning to report, including update on the SEND Transformation Programme (document attached) and Annual Education & Learning Performance Report Autumn 2021 (attached).

DISCUSSION:

The Head of Education & Learning had circulated the following documents with the agenda:-

(a) Annual Education & Learning Performance Report Autumn 2021

(based on published data to 21 October 2021); and

(b) Update on the SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) 100 Project 

In relation to school performance, (a) above:-

Members noted that the usual key stage assessment and performance tables data had not been able to be included due to changes resulting from the pandemic.  However other key information/data and Devon County Council key stage 4 data was included. The Report’s main aim continued to be measuring outcomes that could impact on disadvantaged children and inform decisions on action required.  

Department for Education (DfE) year 11 data for the 2019/20 academic year indicated an encouraging 94% take up in and sustained, post 16 education. This puts Devon in the top quartile nationally.

In response to questions on the Report’s exclusion data, Members noted that this indicated a reduction in permanent exclusions from 60 in 2019/20 to 51 in 2021 with these numbers likely to have been impacted by the pandemic.  Devon’s exclusion trend was downward (down in primary, slight rise in secondary) and slightly better than the latest available national rate (2019/20).

Fixed period exclusions had risen significantly in Devon secondary schools (often the case when permanent exclusions fell) from 3235 in 2019/20 to

4963 in 2020/21 (and significantly higher than latest national data 2019/20), with an increase in disruptive behaviour as pupils struggled to cope with changes in routine/return to school after pandemic lockdowns.

Secondary school Forum Members would welcome further data analysis on the increased exclusions to determine trends etc and how the Local Authority may further support schools.

The Head of Education & Learning would welcome joint working with secondary school representatives to reduce exclusion rates. 

 In relation to SEND 100 Project, (b) above, discussion included:-

-that within the two levels of proposed SEND support (including 8 SEND hubs Level 1 and 4 locality teams Level 2) no additional administrative costs were anticipated at this stage due to existing provision.  The SEND support and key principle of the project was to provide access to earlier wrap around, holistic, multi-agency support for children and young people and reduce, not increase  bureaucracy;

-multi-agency team support would be commissioned through WAVE and hospital schools in relation to pupils with medical/SEN/significant behavioural needs; and

-whether the SEND 100 Project was on target, both financially and due to difficulties in recruitment of some key roles within schools and health.  Officers advised that next year’s budgets were still yet to be confirmed and that the Council’s Cabinet had discussed recruitment difficulties in Devon due to a number of factors, including housing costs and availability (Cabinet, 10 November 2021 meeting).   Forum Headteachers were happy to offer support regarding recruitment.

DECISION:

(a) that the Head of Education & Learning provide further secondary exclusions data analysis and details of LA support, to all secondary school Headteachers; and

(b) that an update be made to the next DEF meeting on the SEND 100 Project, progress, together with any Devon recruitment difficulties. 

ACTION:

Head of Education & Learning (Dawn Stabb)