Members are reminded that this Committee at its meeting on 6 September 2016 deferred consideration of this item to a future meeting.

In accordance with the above the Strategic Director, Children’s Services will resubmit Document “K” which reports that this is a period of significant change for post-16 education and training locally and nationally and the Council with the support, participation and cooperation of a range of key partners has led a local review of post-16 provision within the District to ensure that we have a sustainable, high quality offer that delivers the best outcomes for our young no matter where they start.

Recommended-

(1)That the Committee note the contents of the report and work with partners to promote and deliver the actions set out in section 9 and specifically 9.1 of Document “K”.

(2)That the Committee support the Council with the engagement of a broad range of partners from education and business with the development of the post-16 agenda and partnerships in Bradford.

                                                            (Philip Hunter – 01274 439575)

Members were reminded that this Committee at its meeting on 6 September 2016 deferred consideration of this item to a future meeting.

In accordance with the above the Strategic Director, Children’s Services resubmitted Document “K” which reported that this was a period of significant change for post-16 education and training locally and nationally and the Council with the support, participation and cooperation of a range of key partners had led a local review of post-16 provision within the District to ensure that there was a sustainable, high quality offer that delivered the best outcomes for young people no matter where they started.

Helena Blair attended the meeting from Queens College Cambridge which was linked with Bradford schools to develop new strategies and support higher education progression.  She was researching options to help the college develop a strategy to forge stronger relationships with Bradford schools and colleges.

A discussion took place in which different views were expressed about the future of post 16 education in Bradford as follows:

·        Students required support and advice to assist them in their choices during transition from GCSE’s.  In response it was noted the authority was working with schools and colleges on Bradford Pathways which was a key priority to ease transition post GCSE.

·        Sixth form colleges were preferred by some for educational reasons and because of issues about choice. 

·        The authority had been encouraged by how the review had been received by schools, colleges and university.  However funding would be the key.  A mature debate was taking place on post 16 provision in a spirit of collaboration and there was a general acceptance that larger sixth form colleges would offer a wider range of options and enrichment programme.

·        A member expressed concern that the establishment of sixth form colleges could damage the attractiveness of Bradford for secondary school teachers and questioned whether the motivation to close school sixth  forms was to make available accommodation for 11 – 16 school places.  In response it was stressed that financial considerations were only part of the review and that the starting point had to be meeting the needs of post 16 pupils and employers.  Other factors to be considered were increasing the post 16 offer and improving standards.  Officers stressed that they were not stating that school sixth forms of under 250 pupils were earmarked for closure.  They would not interfere with excellence and acknowledged the A level results achieved.  It was accepted that attracting high quality teachers to Bradford was an issue but there was no evidence that neighbouring authorities that had sixth form colleges found it more difficult.  It was noted that secondary schools had not indicated that attracting quality teachers as an issue.

·        Members emphasised the achievements in school sixth forms.

·        A detailed risk assessment should be carried out on recruitment and retention of teachers before the proposals are implemented.  Gifted teachers wanted to see their work across the age range. 

·        Young people matured at different rates and some would spend a considerable time settling in to sixth form colleges and would miss continuity of progression.

·        Mixed provision was what was needed.

·        Mixed provision was the way forward.  Successful sixth forms and sixth form colleges would give pupils wider access to vocational and academic provision.  In response it was noted that there was a need to strengthen vocational provision and provide programmes of learning for the wider economy of the district and beyond.

·        Officers took on board the comments on the need for a mixed economy and inspirational teachers.  In Bradford there would be 3 new post 16 free schools.  Decisions on free school submissions were made by the Department for Education.  The local authority was consulted but had no control over the decisions.

·        With reference to the Bradford school sixth forms with less than 250 students listed in appendix 3, members would be provided with information and analysis of the number of subjects offered, the drop out rate and qualifications achieved.

·        There was a need to consider all children including those with special needs.

·        The location of New College Bradford was questioned.

·        A member raised the issue of transport costs for pupils with special needs and stressed that they were very vulnerable to change.

·        In response to a question about who was funding the new colleges it was confirmed that funding for new free schools was through the Department for Education and although the Local Authority was asked for it’s views on the proposals it was not involved in the decision making.

·        It was stressed that the authority was not asking any sixth form to close but requesting schools to look at provision, given the funding arrangements.  The authority was not making any judgement on any sixth form and the future of sixth forms was up to the school not the Local Authority.  No assessment on the quality of teaching and learning in Bradford was being made.  The authority wanted to see more mixed provision with larger providers as part of the mix.  There were increased demographic pressures on 11 to 16 year old places.  It was stressed that the council was not making any suggestions on the future of any sixth form but it was about widening the offer.

·        Why had it been decided that sixth forms with less than 250 were not viable?  The figure had been produced by school and college leaders and was recognised by the Department for Education on the efficiency of the use of finances.

·        There was a need to look at the bigger picture and what this would mean for pupils over the next 20 years. 

Resolved-

(1)       That the Committee note the contents of the report and express concerns about bullet points 1 and 4 of paragraph 9.1 of Document “K”.

(2)          That the Committee asks that careful consideration be given to recruitment and retention of teachers in all sectors.   

(3)          That consideration be given to the better use of the time between finishing GCSEs and starting A levels to assist with pupil’s transition.

(4)          That  members of the Committee be sent information showing the outcomes and achievements of secondary schools across the district in 6^th form.

(5)          That Helena Blair (Queens College Cambridge) be requested to submit a copy of her findings on expanding the opportunities for young people of the Bradford District.

ACTION:         Strategic Director of Children’s Services