Agenda item

Members were reminded that, at their last meeting held on 21 November 2012, it was agreed that the topic of their second major review would be on access to education for Hillingdon’s vulnerable children and young people.

The Committee was provided with a draft scoping report which set out the aim of the review as focussing on ensuring that current arrangements and future plans for access to education for vulnerable pupils was timely and effective. The review would look particularly at the key barriers facing vulnerable children and young people in accessing education outside of the normal education processes.

The Council’s Interim Chief Education Officer and Senior Manager for Access and Inclusion provided a presentation on the topic.

The Terms of Reference of the Review were agreed as follows:

§         To review the process for in-year admissions to schools and learn about the In-Year Fair Access Protocol (IYFAP) and the Managed Move and Inclusion Panel (MMIP). 

§         To review local arrangements for pupils without a school place.

§         To understand the local implications of statutory guidance relating to children’s access to education.

§         To understand pupil place planning in Hillingdon.

§         To review the practice around pupils who are not admitted to a school within 20 school days.

§         After due consideration of the above, to bring forward positive and practical policy recommendations (if needed), in relation to the Council’s in-year admissions processes for vulnerable children.

Members asked that officers provide data on the educational achievement of the vulnerable children and young people in question to inform the review.

Officers advised that such data could be produced but that it would not provide a full picture as many of the pupils in question were transferred in late in their education and many of the pupils did not have English as a first language.

Members also asked that officers provide a report on the current relationship between local authorities and schools which outlined whether the Council was losing the capacity to oversee education in the Borough.

Officers advised that it would be possible to provide such a report but that it would only be a snapshot in time as the relationship was continually progressing. It was also noted that different families of schools had different relationships with local authorities.

Members noted that looked after children should be included in the review as should the services provided to schools by external companies.

It was noted that Academies were not providing as much information as they could to the Council. It was suggested that a best practice guide be produced by the Council on what information they should be providing.

The Committee agreed that the list of potential witnesses for the review should be as follows:

Session 1 – 20 February 2013

• Lead Policy Officer from the Department for Education
• Interim Chief Education Officer
• Service Manager for Behaviour, Attendance and SEN
• Performance and Intelligence Manager

Session 2 – 20 March 2013

• Head Teacher of Hillingdon school
• Head Teacher of Hillingdon academy
• Chair of the Hillingdon Fair Access Panel

In addition to the above, it was also agreed that a site visit would take place to Brookfield Adult Learning Centre for some Members to meet children, staff and parents. It was noted that the site visit should be undertaken sensitively and that only a small number of Members should go on the visit. It was requested that the Senior Manager for Access and Inclusion circulate possible dates for the visit.

Resolved:

1. That the draft scoping report be noted and be updated to reflect the discussions of the meeting.

2. That officers be asked to supply the further information as requested.