Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - City Hall, Bradford. View directions

Contact: Fatima Butt / Jill Bell 

Items
No. Item

24.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

(Members Code of Conduct - Part 4A of the Constitution)

 

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

 

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

 

Notes:

 

(1)       Members may remain in the meeting and take part fully in discussion and voting unless the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an interest which the Member feels would call into question their compliance with the wider principles set out in the Code of Conduct.  Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

 

(2)       Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

 

(3)       Members are also welcome to disclose interests which are not disclosable pecuniary interests but which they consider should be made in the interest of clarity.

 

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

 

Minutes:

(1)       In the interest of transparency all those who had children in school or in post 16 education disclosed an interest.

 

(2)       In the interest of transparency Councillor Peart disclosed an interest as she worked in a Bradford School.

 

(3)       Councillor Ward disclosed an interest in Minute 31 as he was on the Management Committee of a Pupil Referral Unit.

 

Action:           City Solicitor

25.

MINUTES

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

 

(Fatima Butt/Jill Bell – 01274 432227/4580)

Minutes:

Resolved-

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September and 10 October 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

26.

INSPECTION OF REPORTS AND BACKGROUND PAPERS

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

 

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

 

(Fatima Butt - 01274 432227)

 

Minutes:

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

27.

REFERRALS TO THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

The Committee is asked to note any referrals and decide how it wishes to proceed, for example by incorporating the item into the work programme, requesting that it be subject to more detailed examination, or refer it to an appropriate Working Group/Committee.

 

Minutes:

No referrals had been received.

28.

APPOINTMENT OF VOTING CO-OPTED MEMBER

 

(Article 6.7.2 of the Constitution)

 

The Committee is asked to confirm and recommend to Council the appointment of the following voting co-opted representative for the 2018/2019 municipal year:

 

Mrs Shain Wells – Parent Governor Representative

           

(Fatima Butt  - 01274 432227)

 

Minutes:

 

(Article 6.7.2 of the Constitution)

 

The Committee was asked to confirm and recommend to Council the appointment of the following voting co-opted representative for the 2018/2019 municipal year:

 

Mrs Shain Wells – Parent Governor Representative

 

Resolved-

 

That the appointment of the following voting co-opted representative for the 2018/19 municipal year be recommended to Council:

 

 Parent Governor Representative:  Mrs Shain Wells

 

Action:           City Solicitor

29.

RAISING STANDARDS - SUMMARY OF KEY STAGE 4 OUTCOMES AND EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES USED TO IMPROVE STANDARDS ACROSS THE DISTRICT pdf icon PDF 246 KB

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services will submit Document “K” which

provides a summary of performance for Key Stage 4 students (16 year olds)

attending Bradford’s secondary schools.

 

The report also acknowledges and celebrates some of the successful

strategies used by the Local Authority and schools to raise standards.

 

Recommended-

 

That the report be noted.

 

                                                            (Marium Haque – 01274 431078)

 

Minutes:

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services submitted Document “K”

which provided a summary of performance for Key Stage 4 students

(16 year olds) attending Bradford’s secondary schools.

 

The report also acknowledged and celebrated some of the successful

strategies used by the Local Authority and schools to raise standards.

 

Sir Nick Weller, the CEO of the Dixons Academy Chain and David Horn, the

CEO of Beckfoot Multi Academy Trust, shared the strategies they were

using to raise standards in their schools.

 

The Head Teacher of Carlton-Bolling attended the meeting and presented

information relating to Progress 8 comparison with Neighbouring Urban Local

Authorities and Progress 8 performance comparison with statistically similar

Local Authorities scores and reported that:

 

·         Bradford had a very contrasting set of results, with a large batch of schools with positive progress 8 (10 schools within top 15% nationally, with their outcomes comparing very favourably against the best performing schools in other West Yorkshire authorities; their strong performance was counter-balanced by a similar number of low performing schools).

·         There were two main attainment measures – Attainment 8 which measures a student’s average grade across eight subjects. This measure was designed to encourage schools to offer a broad, well-balanced curriculum and progress 8 which aims to capture the progress a pupil makes from the end of key stage 2 to the end of key stage 4 in the same eight subjects as those measured in Attainment 8.

·         Basics Measure – percentage of students attaining a grade 5 or above in both English and Maths was 35.8% compared to the national average of 39.9%.

·         Bradford’s Average Attainment 8 Score was 42.6; National Average Attainment 8 Score was 44.3.

·         Percentage of students achieving Basics in Bradford was 35.8%; percentage of students achieving Basics Nationally was 39.9%.

·         Both attainment scores were just beneath national averages, which was not surprising as this cohort entered KS3 with below average attainment levels in 2013, and progress overall in 2018 was in line with national averages.

 

It was reported that in 2018 Bradford’s Attainment 8 score increased by 0.2 points to 42.6 resulting in the narrowing of the gap with the national Attainment 8 of 44.3.  Bradford had moved up to 8 places in the national ranking table from 143rd position in 2017 to 135th position in 2018 (out of 151 local authorities). The Dixons Chain of Academies was to be commended for the successes achieved this year.  Bradford’s Progress 8 score of 0.00 remained above the national of -0.08.

 

 

 

Members made the following comments:

 

·         Felt that the report did not have sufficient information ie such as what was behind the results; the report did not include information in relation to SEN, fixed term exclusions, post code of feeder schools, off rolling etc; the figures in the report could not be analysed due to insufficient information.

·          Were good practices being undertaken in the Dixons Schools being shared with other schools; how can you make every school perform like Dixons?

·         Were the Dixons primary Schools high achievers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

POST 16 PROVISION UPDATE pdf icon PDF 256 KB

Post-16 education and training locally and nationally continues to undergo significant change. The Council with the support, participation and cooperation of a range of key partners led a local review of post-16 provision within the District (concluding in 2016) to ensure that there was a sustainable, high quality offer that delivered the best outcomes for young people no matter where they start. The partnership continues to work to deliver the “joint approach to post-16” focussing on the pattern of delivery of academic provision in the District that was agreed through the Review.

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services will submit Document “L” which provides an update on progress with the implementation of the agreed approach and the latest post-16 participation, performance and progression data.

 

Recommended-

 

(1)       That the contents of the report and progress made to date in implementing new arrangements for the delivery of post-16 provision in the District be noted.

 

(2)       That the engagement of a broad range of partners from education and business to further develop the post-16 agenda and partnerships in Bradford be welcomed.

 

                                                            (Matt Findull – 01274 439572)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

 

Post-16 education and training locally and nationally continued to undergo significant change. The Council with the support, participation and cooperation of a range of key partners led a local review of post-16 provision within the District (concluding in 2016) to ensure that there was a sustainable, high quality offer that delivered the best outcomes for young people no matter where they started. The partnership continued to work to deliver the “joint approach to post-16” focussing on the pattern of delivery of academic provision in the District that was agreed through the Review.

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services submitted Document “L” which provided an update on progress with the implementation of the agreed approach and the latest post-16 participation, performance and progression data.

 

It was reported that significant progress had been made in respect of re-shaping the delivery pattern since the review of the Post 16 Provision:

 

  • Two new post-16 Free Schools had been approved by the DfE for opening in the city centre. Both of these Free Schools were sponsored by Multi-Academy Trusts with a track record of delivering “Outstanding” provision, namely Dixons Academies Trust and New Collaborative Learning Trust (who will open New College Bradford). The two centres would have significant focus on academic courses at Level 3 (A Level or equivalent);

·         Three small sixth forms closed at the end of academic year 2017/18  (Queensbury Academy, Appleton Academy, Beckfoot Upper Heaton Academy);

·         A further three schools (Carlton Bolling College, Buttershaw Academy, Grange Technology College) have already consulted on sixth form closure; and

·         Other sixth forms have already considerably revised their curriculum offer, for example ceasing A Level delivery.

 

The above changes had to date had no discernible adverse impact on participation. Participation remained strong and although Queensbury, Appleton and Beckfoot Upper Heaton did not recruit Year 12 in 2017/8, this caused no significant variance to the Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) rates in their Wards (in fact 2 out of 3 of the Wards’ NEET rates actually improved comparing September 2017 to September 2016 despite those sixth forms not recruiting).

 

A representative of the Dixons Academies Trust and the New Collaborative Learning Trust attended the meeting and spoke about the number of children the colleges would cater for, qualifications being provided at the new colleges and the entry requirements.

 

The representative of Youth Voice attended the meeting and spoke about the responses received from the Youth Voice Feedback about Post 16 Provision which was undertaken via social media which had more followers (66%) on instagram now than it did when it was on a private setting.

 

A summary of what the young people said included:

 

Q1 Are you in School or College?

A:  33% of the young people said school

      67% of the young people said college

 

Q2  Do you feel you receive enough information about the choices available

       to you post 16?

A:    33% of the young people said yes

        67% of young people said no

 

Q3  Have you heard about the two new sixth form  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS pdf icon PDF 175 KB

Local Authorities are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils, and for other pupils who - because of illness or other reasons - would not receive suitable education without such provision.  Full-time education for excluded pupils must begin no later than the sixth day of the exclusion.  Local Authority maintained provision for this purpose is known as a Pupil Referral Unit.

 

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services will submit Document “M” which provides information about the Pupil Referral Units in Bradford.

 

Recommended-

 

That an update report on the progress of the District Pupil Referral Unit be presented to the Committee by April 2019.

 

                                                            (Marium Haque – 01274 439255)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

 

Local Authorities were responsible for arranging suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils, and for other pupils who - because of illness or other reasons - would not receive suitable education without such provision.  Full-time education for excluded pupils must begin no later than the sixth day of the exclusion.  Local Authority maintained provision for this purpose was known as a Pupil Referral Unit.

 

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services submitted Document “M” which provided information about the Pupil Referral Units in Bradford.

 

It was reported that in Bradford and District there were five PRUs:

 

·         Park Primary (in BD5 West Bowling) for pupils in key stage 1 and 2, aged 5-11 years;

·         Ellar Carr (in BD10 Thackley) for key stage 3 and 4 pupils aged 11-16 years;

·         Central (on two sites one at Jesse Street BD8 Fairweather Green and Aireview BD18 Saltaire) for key stage 3 and 4 pupils aged 11-16 years;

·         District (BD4 Bowling) for key stage 3 and 4 pupils aged 11-16 years;

·         TRACKS (BD18 Shipley) a key stage 4 provision for young people with social anxiety and social and mental health needs.

 

In addition there were two hospital schools that provided education for children and young people staying in hospital; these were Education in Hospital Airedale and BRI.

 

The Deputy Director of Education and Learning reported on the figures for Permanent and Fixed Term Exclusions to date which were provided at Appendix 1 of the report.  She reported that work was ongoing to ensure appropriate provision was in place for children with Education Health Care Plans.

 

Members were informed that the District Pru was inspected in March 2017 and was found to be inadequate and requiring Special Measures to improve and subsequently given an academy order.

 

It was reported that since the inspections findings a number of actions had been taken to improve provision and to enable the PRU to be in a position where an academy transfer could be agreed with an appropriate sponsor.

 

The Interim Head teacher of the District PRU attended the meeting and spoke about the progress made which included:

 

·         Building works had taken place over the summer to make a separate visitor and student entrance, and this had helped to improve safety.

·         A number of other improvements had been made not only to on–site safety, but also safeguarding practices the curriculum, teaching and learning and leadership and management.

 

·         Early morning calls and collection continued to work well and was having a significant impact on attendance.

·         There was a more intensive focus by all staff on safeguarding students.

·         As a result, behaviour had improved and there were reduced incidents of inappropriate and aggressive behaviours and the high levels of anxiety previously displayed by a number of students and attendance had improved.

·         He was leading on making improvements to the quality of overall provision and the management committee were holding the leaders and managers to account.  The Achievement Officer had made a very positive contribution and this had been clearly acknowledged by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

THE BRADFORD EDUCATION COVENANT pdf icon PDF 584 KB

Previous Reference:           Minute 35 (2017/18)

 

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services will submit Document “N” which provides a summary of the progress of the Education Covenant since the last report in December 2017 with a focus on the continued development of the core offer, youth voice, stakeholder’s involvement in determining the priorities for this academic year, school engagement and impact.

 

Recommended-

 

(1)                   That the progress of the work on the Education Covenant be acknowledged.

 

(2)       That the work of community partners in delivering work with Bradford children and young people undertaken as part of the Covenant  be commended.

 

(3)                   That members of the Committee continue to promote the Education Covenant in their networks.

 

(4)       That members acknowledge the priorities for this academic year as established through consultation with community partners:

 

·         Engaging parents and carers in the Education Covenant and building an offer to support them and their children.

·         Building a ‘cultural’ covenant that encourages families to engage and take part in the wonderful local cultural offers that we have in the district.

 

                                                            (Jenny Cryer – 01274 432438)

 

 

 

Minutes:

Previous Reference:           Minute 35 (2017/18)

 

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services submitted Document “N” which provided a summary of the progress of the Education Covenant since the last report in December 2017 with a focus on the continued development of the core offer, youth voice, stakeholder’s involvement in determining the priorities for this academic year, school engagement and impact.

 

In response to a Member’s question it was reported that work was undertaken with local universities as well as the universities that came under the Russell Group which was aimed at the brightest students.

 

It was reported that work was being undertaken  to engage more schools into the programme.

 

Resolved-

 

(1)                   That the progress of the work on the Education Covenant be acknowledged.

 

(2)       That the work of community partners in delivering work with Bradford children and young people undertaken as part of the Covenant  be commended.

 

(3)                   That members of the Committee continue to promote the Education Covenant in their networks.

 

(4)       That members acknowledge the priorities for this academic year as established through consultation with community partners:

 

·       Engaging parents and carers in the Education Covenant and building an offer to support them and their children.

·       Building a ‘cultural’ covenant that encourages families to engage and take part in the wonderful local cultural offers that we have in the district.

 

                                                           

 

33.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 142 KB

The report of the Chair of the Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Document “0”) presents the Committee’s Work Programme 2018-19.

 

Recommended -

 

That the Work programme 2018-19 continues to be regularly reviewed during the year.

 

(Licia Woodhead – 01274 432119)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Chair of the Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Document “0”) presented the Committee’s Work Programme 2018-19.

 

Resolved -

 

That the Work programme 2018-19 continues to be regularly reviewed during the year.

 

Action:           Overview and Scrutiny Lead