Issue - meetings

The Board received a presentation on the White Paper March 2016 “Educational Excellence Everywhere and the proposed “Education for All Bill”.

The Operational Director for Education, Inclusion and Provision provided a summary of the Paper identifying implications for the Local Authority’s role in Schools Improvement and wider services, and also the potential implications for schools in Halton.  It was noted that the proposed reforms would radically reshape education and reduce and redefine the role of the Local Authority.

All schools within a local authority would not be compelled to convert to academy status except:

1)    If the LA could no longer support the remaining schools because the critical mass had converted; and

2)    Where the local authority consistently failed to meet a minimum performance threshold (yet to be determined) across its schools.

The presentation discussed:

·       The 7 key areas of reform;

·       The retention of good teachers; and the replacement of qualified teacher status with accreditation based on a teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom – posing the question how would this be measured;

·       Great leaders and governance;

·       The conversion of inadequate or underperforming schools to academies and the continuation of encouraging high performing maintained schools to become academies;

·       The role of the Local Authority in the academisation programme;

·       Preventing underperformance;

·       Accountability with regards to Multi Academy Trusts (MATs);

·       Resources – such as funding being allocated directly to the schools; and

·       The key issues for Halton.

Members raised concerns about Early Years provision and whether the 30 hours would be maintained.  They also commented on the role of Governors and who would appoint them.

RESOLVED:  That the presentation be received and comments made be noted.