Agenda item - Education Disadvantaged Strategy

Report of the Executive Director, Families, Children and Learning (copy attached)

RESOLVED: That the Committee -

(i)             Noted the work of Brighton and Hove Education Partnership;

(ii)            Offered feedback on the attached final draft of the strategy;

(iii)           Approved and endorsed the Education Disadvantaged Strategy that has been developed by Brighton and Hove Education Partnership

50.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Families Children & Learning which provided an update on the Education Disadvantaged Strategy.  The report was presented by the Head of Standards and Achievement, supported by the Senior Education Advisor and the Headteacher of St. Nicholas Primary School. 

50.2    In response to questions from Councillor John, the Head of Standards and Achievement stated that “young people” was a strand of the strategy and they were obligated as part of the strategy to consult young people on the actions contained within.  With regard to the attainment gap, literacy was lower than the national average at the point of starting school, and attendance was also lower.  The reasons for this were complex and far reaching and included wider socio-economic issues. 

50.3    The Headteacher of St Nicholas Primary School said that the pupil places crisis and underfunding had disproportionally impacted schools that were attended by higher numbers of disadvantaged children. 

50.4    The Assistant Director (Education and Skills) explained the strategy specifically picked up the work that needed to be done within schools and education partnerships.   A strategy dealing with the wider aspects of disadvantage, for example unemployment, housing and poverty, would be brought to the next meeting of the CYPS Committee.  A lot of work was also being done around the impact of the pandemic. 

50.5    Councillor Brown felt it was important to understand what would be done differently than previous attempts to support these children and requested more detail about this.  She asked if other Authorities with higher outcomes had been consulted.  She was keen to ensure that teachers, teaching assistants and governors were fully involved, and for regular reports to be presented to the CYPS Committee once the strategy was implemented. 

50.6    The Assistant Director (Education and Skills) confirmed that other Authorities were being consulted and the strategy would be tightly monitored. Further, that the Committee would be provided with regular updates. 

50.7    Cllr O’Quinn was concerned about the low scores presented in the report and felt there was a lot of work to do.  She requested updates and impact studies and for the actions to be properly measured. 

50.8    Councillor O’Quinn said there was an issue engaging children with virtual learning and asked how this engagement would be increased. 

50.9    The Assistant Director (Education and Skills) explained that the strategy had been developed with the Education Partnership and the themes and issues raised by Councillor O’Quinn would be developed throughout the life of the strategy.  An officer had been employed to look at the Hidden Children agenda and children who were on part-time timetables. The officer would gather data and work with schools.  Feedback would be provided to the Committee.

50.10  Mr Muirhead was concerned that the scope of the strategy was too narrow and felt there could be more input from education providers, community groups and parents.  He asked if there would be a commitment on schools to silo their focus and how this would be achieved. 

50.11  The Headteacher of St Nicholas Primary School agreed this had been an issue in the past and was keen that education did not sit siloed. 

50.12  Ms Boyd said the hardest hit groups who do not make good process are those who have SEND and are disadvantaged.  It was essential to focus on specific needs and have this articulated.  It was very important that SEND was included in the strategy.

50.13  The Assistant Director (Education and Skills) advised that feedback and updates on SEND would be included going forwards. 

50.14  The Assistant Director (Health, SEN & Disability) agreed the overlap between the two strategies was very apparent and officers and headteacher would need to work closely together. 

50.15  RESOLVED:  The Committee agreed to:

(i)     Note the work of Brighton and Hove Education Partnership;

(ii)    Offer feedback on the attached final draft of the strategy;

(iii)   Approve and endorse the Education Disadvantaged Strategy that had been developed by Brighton and Hove Education Partnership.

RESOLVED: That the Committee -

(i)            Noted the work of Brighton and Hove Education Partnership;

(ii)           Offered feedback on the attached final draft of the strategy;

(iii)          Approved and endorsed the Education Disadvantaged Strategy that has been developed by Brighton and Hove Education Partnership