Agenda item - School OFSTED Presentation

Report of the Executive Director for Families, Children & Learning (Copy attached)

64.1    The Head of Education Standards & Achievement gave a brief overview of the current situation regarding Ofsted findings, it was noted that the inspection at Holmewood college concluded that it continued to required improvement and that results of inspections at Moulsecoomb, Hove and Balfour and Downes had yet to be released.

64.2    Councillor Knight requested an update be brought to Committee in 6 months with regard to challenges that Holmewood College had faced in that time and how they addressed them. It was also requested that the Chair write a letter of an expression of faith in the college on behalf of the Committee.

64.3    Councillor McNair noted that a number of schools with an ‘outstanding’ inspection rating was less than the national average. It was noted that Ofsted was at the beginning of the new regime. Councillor McNair enquired if there was any mechanism used to see how the average was met.

64.4    The Head of Education Standards & Achievement stated that under the new framework a school could take up to 6 years to achieve an ‘outstanding’ inspection.

64.5    The Community Works Representative enquired if there was an update on potential central hub plans.

64.6    The Assistant - Education & Skills stated that there was a lot of work being undertaken in the city including the development of the hub which were bringing together aspects of social and mental health. It was further stated that an update paper was due to be brought in June. It was noted that preparing schools for learning and meeting the new Ofsted regime was very difficult.

65.7    The Chair enquired if committee would agree on Councillor Knight’s suggestion that the Chair write to Holmewood school on behalf of Committee and also if the Head of Education Standard & Achievement could bring an Ofsted update on the school’s progress in future.

65.8    AGREED:  

1.    That the Committee note the update.

2.    That the Chair write to Homewood school on behalf of the Committee.

3.    That an Ofsted update on Holmewood school’s progress be brought to future Committeee.