Issue - meetings

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Children and Young People setting out the methodology for co-ordinating the Local Authority’s Support and Intervention Strategy for schools causing concern.

            It was noted that, as previously reported to the Board on 1 November 2007, the Education and Inspections Act 2006 outlined in Part 4 new powers for a Local Authority to intervene and take action and provide support to schools causing concern.

The Council had now consulted with schools on the proposed Local Authority procedures for identifying and intervening in schools causing concern, with a view to a revised policy being approved by the Board.

            RESOLVED: That the Strategy for Support and Intervention for Schools in Halton be approved.

The Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That the Constitution be amended to authorise the Strategic Director for Children and Young People to exercise the powers and duties provided to the Council under Part 4 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

            The Executive Board had considered a report of the Strategic Director – Children and Young People outlining a revised policy for Schools Causing Concern, and requesting delegated powers to the Strategic Director to exercise the statutory functions of the Council in identifying and intervening in schools causing concern where this was appropriate.

            RESOLVED: That the Constitution be amended to authorise the Strategic Director – Children and Young People to exercise the powers and duties provided to the Council under Part 4 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Children and Young People seeking agreement to a revised policy for Schools Causing Concern.

It was noted that Part 4 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 outlined new powers for a local authority to intervene, take action and provide support to schools causing concern. The Local Authority was currently consulting with schools on revision to its procedures for identifying and intervening in schools causing concern, with a view to a revised policy being submitted to the Executive Board later in the calendar year. During the intervening period, it was important that the Strategic Director had delegated powers to act if schools were already presenting concerns and the Board was asked to approve the delegation of these powers with immediate effect.

Members were advised that a small number of primary schools presented concerns to the Local Authority. In particular, Simms Cross was currently in Special Measures. It was considered that steps needed to be taken to consult the Governing Body with a view to replacing it with an Interim Executive Board (IEB) and approval was sought to enable the Strategic Director to take the appropriate steps. It was considered that the IEB would allow the newly appointed Head Teacher to focus on improving teaching and learning in the School.

Reason for Decision

Strengthened powers of intervention to prevent school failure and under-performance were a key component of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Local Authorities were expected to demonstrate deployment of these powers where appropriate.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Implementation Date

With immediate effect.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Strategic Director for Children and Young People be authorised to take all such actions as shall be necessary to give effect to the Council’s powers and duties in relation to the education of children at Simms Cross Primary School;

(2)       steps be taken to consult on the replacement of the Governing Body of Simms Cross School with an Interim Executive Board, for a time period yet to be specified; and

(3)       the Strategic Director for Children and Young People be authorised generally to exercise the powers and duties provided to the Council under Part 4 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, and the Council be recommended to amend the Constitution accordingly.