Agenda item

To inform Scrutiny Committee of the educational outcomes and improvement strategy in Blackpool.

The Committee considered the educational outcomes of Blackpool schools for 2017/2018 and noted that the data provided in relation to absence and exclusion was constantly changing.

Members noted that the absence of pupils in secondary schools in Blackpool in 2017/2018 was significantly higher than the national average and queried if any improvements had been made. Mr Paul Turner, Head of Service for School Standards, Safeguarding and Inclusion advised that improvement was slow and that statistics for absence varied significantly across schools. He reported that schools were purchasing more support from the Council’s Pupil Welfare Service and that the ‘first day of term protocol’ put in place to reduce transience across Blackpool’s schools had had an impact.

In response to a question, Mr Turner advised that, although the reduction in fixed term exclusions from 2016/2017 to 2017/2018 had been small, there had been a significant reduction since the start of the 2018/2019 school year demonstrating that the work with schools on inclusion was having an impact. Mrs Diane Booth, Director of Children’s Services added that schools had been challenged regarding the number of exclusions and partnership working had improved.

It was noted that there were concerns regarding the reading level of children at both key stages one and two and that a number of initiatives had been put in place to improve reading ability. Members noted the links of literacy to schools readiness, early help and also adult/parental literacy. Mr Mike Taplin, Head of Adult Learning advised that adult literacy was a priority and was a key feature of the support provided by his Team. The importance of the developing Early Years Strategy in increasing school readiness was noted and it was agreed that the Strategy be considered by the Committee at a future meeting, in addition to the related Special Educational Needs Strategy.

The Committee went on to consider Maths attainment and noted that achievement at primary schools was high. It had been recognised that the quality of teaching in secondary schools was not as high and that there were a number of schools who did not have dedicated Maths teachers. Another key area for development had been the transition between primary and secondary schools and it had been identified that secondary schools were not building on primary school learning in Year 7. Improved relationships between primary and secondary schools had resulted in a transition curriculum which was providing more challenging material for children in Year 7.

Members also considered the increasing number of parents choosing to home educate their children. Mr Turner advised that the increase was indicative of a national trend and that a number of reasons for the increase had been identified including quality of teaching and schools and an increase in the enforcement around pupil unauthorised absence. It was noted that it was a parent’s right to choose to home educate and that many parents took the role seriously. Members also queried potential courses of action should safeguarding issues arise and Mr Turner advised that if evidenced safeguarding concerns were raised then a School Attendance Order could be issued.

In response to questions, it was noted that although the performance of the one free school in Blackpool had been considered to be ‘good’ by Ofsted, the local authority might consider the standards at the school to be inadequate. Members raised significant concerns relating to the education of the children in the school and queried the role of the Scrutiny Committee in monitoring the individual performance of schools. Mr Turner advised that he had met with the school and the Regional Schools Commissioner, who was ultimately responsible for free schools and academies. The Committee was also advised that different legislation governed free schools and academies and noted that teachers at free schools and academies did not need to be qualified and might be paid significantly less money than teachers at maintained schools.

The Committee agreed to consider the Early Years Strategy development and the Special Educational Needs Strategy at a future meeting.