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Subject: |
Education Disadvantaged Strategy |
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Date of Meeting: |
10th January 2022 |
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Report of: |
Executive Director Families, Children and Learning |
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Contact Officer: |
Mark Storey Head of Education Standards and Achievement |
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Email: |
mark.storey@brighton-hove.gov.uk |
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Ward(s) affected: |
All |
FOR GENERAL RELEASE
1. PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT
1.1 To update committee on the work taking place led by Brighton and Hove Education Partnership. This work supports improved outcomes for disadvantaged pupils through an Education Disadvantaged Strategy (see attached strategy and summary)
1.2 This is a part of much broader and wider reaching strategy for disadvantage that will be developed by Families, Children and Learning moving forward.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That the committee notes the work of Brighton and Hove Education Partnership.
2.2 That committee offers feedback on the attached final draft of the strategy
2.3 That the committee approves and endorses the Education Disadvantaged Strategy that has been developed by Brighton and Hove Education Partnership
3. CONTEXT/ BACKGROUND INFORMATION
3.1 It is clear from previous standards reports presented at committee that disadvantaged pupils do not do as well as other pupils. Covid also is likely to have further disadvantaged these pupils – evidence is contained in strategy attached.
3.2 Between January and June 2021 a strategy and action plan to address Education Disadvantage has been developed in partnership with schools. Initially a group of primary and secondary heads came together with local authority officers to produce this.
3.3 This draft strategy and action plan has then been through significant consultation through focus groups with schools; colleges; council departments and a community group so the version attached could be produced. Feedback was, on the whole, very positive however changes did need to be made. In particular additional actions were incorporated. A finalised version will be completed following committee. This strategy and action plan will then be implemented.
3.4 Consultation with children and young people is planned for mid December had to be postponed to mid January due to clashes for the Young People themselves. We will also be ensuring young people are involved with each strand and action plan as they develop. Further information on engagement with children and young people is contained within the strategy itself.
3.5 The strategy has been written in partnership with a group of Headteachers and agreed by the Brighton and Hove Partnership. The key audience has therefore been education professionals and the strategy has been written with this group in mind and contains technical language and research. This is necessary as supports its implementation. Once finalised an overview summary that is accessible to all will be written and published.
3.7 The strategy builds on success and ensures we move in one direction. It recognises that significant work continues through schemes like every child a reader; primary maths support; a focus on attendance for disadvantaged; leadership and government training; support for online learning. There is an ambition however to expand this work in collaboration with schools and to bring work together in one strategy and plan. Each strand will have its own steering group. It brings in much tighter accountability arrangements and new initiatives either immediately or as opportunities become available. The actions linked to this strategy will therefore evolve over time as new research is published and opportunities become available.
3.8 The strategy:
• Provides clarity on action and how schools and Local Authority collaborate
• Is research and evidence based
• Contains an Initial plan and flexible approach
• Enriches schools own strategies
• Dovetails into other strategies
• Acknowledges the impact of Covid and takes into account any national support for recovery.
3.9 A steering group that reports to Brighton and Hove Education Partnership will hold leads of individual area to account.
3.10 The strategy has 6 key themes listed above which will all be co led by Local Authority Officers and Headteachers. A group will meet to ensure each theme has appropriate plans that get implemented across the City.
3.11 As this strategy is launched with schools we plan a further engagement phase where data is presented to schools and further conversations so that the effectiveness of this strategy and plan be maximised. It will also allow schools to contribute to a much broader and wider reaching strategy for disadvantage that will be developed by Families, Children and Learning.
3.12 The strategy itself demonstrates some of the very clear links between where a disadvantaged child lives and educational outcomes. We also know that our outcomes for literacy for children as they start school are historically low. Poor literacy at a young age is known nationally to be a barrier for disadvantaged children.
3.13 The committee will be kept updated on success of this strategy through the annual standard report
4. EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
4.1 Research tells us that disadvantaged pupils are less likely to do as well at school which is for a range of complex reasons. Significant work is needed at school but also across all services if these barriers are to be overcome.
5. FINANCIAL & OTHER IMPLICATIONS:
5.1 There are no specific financial implications arising from the recommendations of this report. The broader strategy for disadvantage mentioned in the report may need additional resources to be identified but this will be explored as the strategy is developed.
Finance Officer Consulted: David Ellis Date:25/11/21
6. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
6.1 Local Authorities have a statutory duty under section 13A of the Education Act
1996 to ensure that their functions relating to the provision of education are
exercised with a view to promoting high standards. This report informs the
committee as to how the Council is seeking to fulfil this duty. It is also well established that the life chances of children can be blighted by poor educational outcomes. Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 established a duty on Local Authorities to make arrangements to promote co-operation between agencies in order to improve children’s wellbeing of children in the authority’s area specifically as relating to education, training and recreation;
Lawyer Consulted: Natasha Watson Date: 23.12.21
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Appendices:
Appendix 1: Draft Educational Disadvantaged Strategy
Appendix 2: Executive Summary Draft Educational Disadvantaged Strategy