Agenda item

Abi Preston (Head of Education Improvement & Partnerships) introduced the annual Standards and Quality in Education report. It was highlighted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no statutory assessment data for 2019/20 or 2020/21 was available. Instead, the data was based on 2018/19.

Data available showed that attainment and progress within the primary phases were either in line with or above national level for all key measures. For the secondary phase KS4 outcomes and progress had decreased slightly but still remained above national averages, and at post-16 level progress had been made but did continue to underperform. This would continue to be a key priority moving forward.

Due to the pandemic, the full Ofsted framework was suspended and instead limited to monitoring visits for the majority of the year. During 2019-20 87% of all schools were judged as good or better compared to 88% in 2018/19, and this was broadly the same during the pandemic. There were 15 schools inspected prior to the Ofsted framework being paused due to COVID-19, one demonstrated an improvement to the final inspection judgments and moved from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’, whilst 11 of the 15 retained their previous inspection judgments. Three of the 15 schools during this period received a downgraded judgment and of those, two were academy schools which we are working closely with the Regional Schools Commissioner to support their improvement.

For the Council’s schools at risk register, there were 19 schools that were at risk of underperformance in Hillingdon, which had increased by one from the previous year. Of this, 9 of the schools were maintained by the Council and are already in receipt of intensive monitoring, challenge and support by officers. To continue to support schools, a new four-tier categorisation and support model for schools has been introduced, which included a new category called the ‘Watch’ category which is a form of light touch support for schools with just one area of need rather than a number of areas of need for support. Templates had been updated, and included a new support plan for schools in the Targeted and Intensive categories, so that objectives and impacts were clear and understood.

The team had been focusing on supporting schools through lockdown and the challenges the pandemic has brought. Schools had done really well to respond to the regularly updated guidance throughout, and officers had supported schools with a key focus on supporting remote learning policies, ensuring that disadvantaged children had devices and could access remote learning tools. Officers had since been supporting children returning back to school and were focusing on catch-up funding and how to support schools to close any gaps for the children resulting from the pandemic.

Members asked a number of questions, including:

Was there any data on the ethnicity and gender of pupils, and if so, did that data highlight any concerns?

Such data could be provided to the Committee following the meeting.

How quickly did the Regional Schools Commission (RSC) respond? Did they offer support to schools?

Officers were in regular contact with the RSC, including weekly calls, and the RSC was very responsive. However, it was recognised that the RSC operated differently to the Council, with less of a focus on individual schools.

Was the Council appropriately resourced to improve performance?

Hillingdon was a ‘high delegating’ Borough, which meant that a high level of funding went directly to the schools. There were opportunities for schools to pool their resources and increase their working relationships. It was recognised that some schools required additional support, and a review was underway on how best to provide this. School leaders are positive about the proposed review which is due to take place in the next few months .

Did the delay in processing Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) impact on the Council’s ability to place pupils and provide support?

Work had been carried out to address the backlog of EHCP applications. Over the last 12 months, a record number of applications had been processed on time.  Further dialogue around how to provide in-year support in the face of changing pupil need was underway.

Were small cohorts, such as pupils being home schooled, care leavers, etc, provided targeted support?

Dedicated support was provided where required. Support would continue to be reviewed to ensure flexibility in light of changing circumstances (e.g. the pandemic).

It was suggested that when compiling data around those not in employment, education or training (NEET) the figures include those ‘not known’, to provide a more accurate number.

Members thanked officers for the detailed report but referenced previous requests to have such reports broken down to promote ease of understanding. It was suggested that officers produce 2 smaller reports, with one setting out results, and the other linked to improvements. In addition, the Committee had previously requested that reports include detail of performance versus other London boroughs and statistical neighbours, instead of national figures., as well as how Hillingdon was supporting the 14 planning areas. The need to identify best practice from neighbours, particularly those with schools in areas with higher levels of deprivation, was highlighted.

Officers agreed that future reports would be reviewed to provide data in a different format as requested.

It was suggested that the comments of the Committee recognise the continued support by officers for learning and well-being, through what had been a challenging time. However, there continued to be concerns around school performance which put Hillingdon below the London average in some stages, and suggested that Hillingdon looked at best practice delivered by other councils, so that Hillingdon’s position compared to other London boroughs and statistical neighbours could be improved. It was agreed that the final wording of the Committee’s comments be delegated to the clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Opposition lead.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the report be noted;

2.    That the final wording of the Committee’s comments be delegated to the clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Opposition lead.