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Committee Minutes
Education Executive | |
4 September 2007 |
IRVINE, 4 September 2007 - At a Meeting of the Education Executive of North Ayrshire Council at 2.00 p.m.
Present
John Bell, Tom Barr, Margaret McDougall, Peter McNamara, David O'Neill, John Reid and John Scott
In Attendance
I. Snodgrass Chief Executive; B. Docherty, Corporate Director (Social Services); J. Travers, Corporate Director, B. Gardner, Head of Educational Resources and C. Kirk, Head of Service (Educational Services); A. Fraser, Manager Legal Services (Legal and Protective); H. Hunter, Principal Accountant (Finance); G. Lawson, Corporate Support Manager, P.Shiach, Corporate Support Officer and A. Clarke, Communications Officer (Chief Executive's).
Chair
Councillor Bell in the Chair.
Apologies for Absence
Fr. Matthew. McManus
1. Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on progress in implementing the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006.
The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006 requires Education authorities to promote and support the creation of Parent Councils in their schools and to present a scheme to members of the Parent Forums in each school for the establishment of these Councils.
Following an initial consultation with the Parent Forums, a draft initial constitution was developed to assist in this regard. Further consultation on the initial draft in March 2007 resulted in a number of changes which have been incorporated into the final constitution, a copy of which was attached to the report.
The report detailed further developments in terms of parental involvement in the appointment process for Head and Depute Head Teacher posts in schools. In this regard, draft revised appointment procedures, which comply with statutory requirements and guidance issued by the Scottish Executive, have been prepared by the North Ayrshire Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers for issue to the Parent Councils for consultation. A copy of the revised procedures was attached to the report.
The report also detailed further developments including training for parent councils and indicated that a welcome pack has been produced by Learning and Teaching Staff for distribution to all Parent Councils.
Funding for the developments highlighted in the report will be provided by the Scottish Executive, and North Ayrshire Council's allocation for 2007/08 has been set at £31,400. In addition, funding which was available to support school boards will be transferred to Parent Councils.
The Education Executive (a) noted the implementation process to date; and (b) agreed (i) that the draft revised appointment procedures for Head Teacher and Depute Head Teacher posts in schools be issued to Parent Councils for their consideration; and (ii) to receive a report on progress at a future meeting.
2. Implementation of NEET Strategy
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on progress in taking forward the NEET Strategy in North Ayrshire.
North Ayrshire Council's NEET strategy, developed in conjunction with key partners and approved by the Scottish Executive, is designed to both prevent young people becoming NEET, and to assist those who are already in that position. A number of the programmes identified in the strategy have now commenced, with the key priorities and progress to date in achieving the aims of the strategy detailed in the report.
Noted.
3. Implementation of Class Size Initiatives
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on the successful implementation of a number of class size initiatives in Primary and Secondary schools.
The Scottish Executive, in April 2007, published guidance on the implementation of its commitment to substantially reduce class sizes to a maximum of 25 for Primary 1 pupils, and a maximum of 20 for Secondary 1 and 2 Mathematics and English pupils.
The creation of the additional teaching staff necessary to implement the initiative was linked to the achievement of the Government's target of establishing a total teacher workforce in Scotland of 53,000 by August 2007.
Nationally, a funding commitment of £50.3 million was provided to facilitate the recruitment of the required additional teaching staff, with North Ayrshire's allocation of this funding being £1.4 million.
Progress on the implementation of the initiative during the academic session 2006/07 was detailed in the report, which also indicated that the Council had achieved its share of the Scottish Executive teacher recruitment targets by August 2007. Details of average class sizes in Secondary Schools in S1/S2 English and Mathematics were contained in an appendix to the report.
Noted.
4. HMIe Report: Glebe Primary School, Irvine
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on the HMIe report on Glebe Primary School, Irvine, carried out in May 2007 as part of a national sample of primary education.
The report outlined the key strengths of the school and made recommendations on areas requiring action. These recommendations will be incorporated into the School Development Plan. Due to the strong record of improvement and very effective leadership of the school, HMIe will make no further reports on this inspection.
The Education Executive agreed to approve the proposals made to address the key points for action contained in the Inspection Report and noted the arrangements for follow-through.
5. The Schools Fund: Additional Resources
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on additional resources allocated by the Scottish Executive for investment in school buildings during financial year 2007/2008.
The Scottish Executive announced additional funding of £924,000 in the current financial year to be made available to North Ayrshire Council through the School Fund. This funding is directly linked to the commitment to reduce class sizes in Primary 1 to Primary 3 classes to a maximum of 18.
It has also been recognised that authorities may not be in a position to plan and implement the required measures at this time and scope has been given to manage the additional funding within the context of the Council's Approved Capital Plan.
Details of amendments to the Approved Capital Plan, to facilitate previously approved school improvement works were contained in Appendix 1 to the report.
The Education Executive (a) noted the additional allocation of £924,000 to North Ayrshire Council in financial year 2007/08; and (b) agreed (i) to bring forward the currently approved projects outlined in Appendix 1 of the report in the sum of £924,000; and (ii) that a project be included within the Council's Capital Plan in 2010/11 to address class size reduction at the cost of £924,000.
6. Commissioned Pre-School Places
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on a proposed increase in the level of funding for pre-school places commissioned from partner providers.
North Ayrshire Council currently pays partner providers £1,330 per fully loaded nursery place allowing partner nurseries to provide nursery education for 412.5 hours over 33 weeks. The Council's nursery classes provide education for 38 weeks.
In June 2007 the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning announced an increase in the entitlement to free pre-school education from the current level to 475 hours over 38 weeks.
Guidance has been issued on the minimum funding necessary to meet quality standards set by HMIe and the Care Commission, indicating a funding level of £1,550 per fully loaded nursery place.
In order to enable partner providers to provide high quality pre-school education, it is proposed to set the payment for a fully loaded nursery place at £1,625, with partner providers required to provide 475 hours of free nursery education.
Details of the proposal, funding for which will be fully met from the increased Scottish Executive allocation, were contained within the report.
The Education Executive agreed to the increased rate of £1,625 per fully loaded pre-school place commissioned from partner providers.
7. Out of School Care
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on proposed charging arrangements for out of school care.
Out of School Care in North Ayrshire is currently sustainable only though an annual subsidy of £156,435 from Childcare Strategy, and is not guaranteed beyond March 2008. Approximately 250 children access breakfast clubs on a daily basis and Out of School Care supports an average of 240 children per day.
To enable the Out of School Care and Breakfast Club services to be run on a more sustainable and consistent basis, it was proposed that revised charges be introduced. Details of the Schedule of Charges indicating the current and proposed daily charges were outlined in Appendix 1 of the report. The report outlined the areas of support currently available to parents and indicated that charges for breakfast clubs would be reduced for families in receipt of free school meals. There was a full discussion on the impact of introducing the new charges, particularly relating to the charges for Breakfast Clubs.
The Education Executive agreed (a) to introduce the revised charges by January 2008; and (b) that the Corporate Director (Education Services) be given flexibility to amend the proposed charges, following consultation with parents.
8. Early Years, Childcare and Play Capital Fund
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on new funding from the Scottish Executive to improve the quality and accessibility of early years, childcare and play facilities, and provide scope for extended and integrated service delivery.
The Scottish Executive has established an £8 million capital fund for the current financial year to improve the quality and accessibility of early years, childcare and play facilities, and to provide scope for extended and integrated service delivery. North Ayrshire's allocation of this grant fund will be £233,000.
The priorities for the fund were detailed in an appendix to the report which also indicated that a minimum of 20% of the funding required to be allocated to the private and voluntary sector.
The report also proposed that funding be allocated to the following areas :-
1) Upgrade/creation of community play areas,
2) Capital bids for local authority nurseries including storage and
3) Bids from voluntary providers of education and childcare.
The report indicated that there were no financial implications for the Council and that the proposal was fully funded by the Scottish Executive.
The Education Executive agreed to approve expenditure of the £233,000 allocated to North Ayrshire Council as indicated in the report.
9. Arion Study Visits Programme 2007/08
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on a proposal to participate in and host three Arion Study Visits in 2007/08.
The European Community selects, on an annual basis, examples of good educational practice from around Europe and organises visits by educational professionals from a variety of countries to observe these practices and report back to their own systems.
The report indicated that the organisers had identified three areas of good practice within North Ayrshire which are worthy of study and provided details thereon. The visits are due to take place in October and November 2007.
The Education Executive agreed that the Council participate in the Arion Study Programme in 2007/08 and hosts 3 of the study visits.
The meeting ended at 3:20 p.m.
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