To receive apologies for absence from Members of the Committee

Apologies had been received from Councillor David Evans, Councillor Roy Aldcroft (substituted by Councillor Steve Davenport, Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight (Portfolio Holder) and Sian Lines (Diocesan Board of Education).

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Hilary Luff declared an interest as she runs a nursery and the agenda included a discussion on early years.

The minutes of the last meeting, held on 29^th June 2022, are attached for confirmation.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members queried whether an item raised at the last meeting had been added to the work programme. It was advised that this was in hand.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5pm on Thursday 22^nd September 2022.

There were no public questions.

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice.

Deadline for notification: 5pm on Thursday 22^nd September 2022.

A Members’ Question was received from Councillor Ruth Houghton in relation to Ukrainian children in schools.

The full questions and responses provided to them are available on the web page for the meeting: Agenda for People Overview Committee on Wednesday, 28th September, 2022, 1.30 pm — Shropshire Council

In a range of supplementary questions, Councillor Houghton sought clarification on funding available for transport and schools and the number of children going through the Fair Access Protocol. In response, Phil Wilson, Service Manager Business Support, advised that alternvative Ukrainian funding options to support cases where transport cannot be provided within the school transport policy. Funding for schools was available if refugees had entered the country via the official route and not via a Visa. Schools would be made aware if funding was available. A task was currently ongoing to identify where children are located and if they are not currently in education, this would be followed up. He further advised that there had been two occasions where the Fair Access panel had met to discuss cases.

To note that the list of attendees as recorded in the minutes of the People Overview Committee meeting held on 12^th May 2022 was incorrect and should include Councillor Roger Evans and

Councillor Caroline Bagnall.

Members noted that the list of those present at the meeting held on 12^th May 2022 was incorrect and Councillors Roger Evans and Caroline Bagnall were also in attendance.

To scrutinise pupil attainment and to identify future lines of enquiry to support improved attainment.

Contact Steve Compton – 01743 254444

Steve Compton, Senior Education Improvement Adviser, presented the report which providedan overview of school outcomes for 2022 and the process of statutory monitoring of schools completed by Shropshire Council, with consideration to the impacts of Covid19.

Members noted that the assessments undertaken include good levels of development in Early Years, Phonics, KS1 SATs, KS2 SATs and KS4 examinations. Further data was expected later in the academic year. Ofsted reports for Shropshire schools resulted in 89.9% good or better and 91.8% of maintained schools good or better, with the national average at 87%.

It was questioned as to why writing standards had fallen the most and how this was benchmarked. Members were advised that Shropshire Council has a moderation process and that due to Shropshire having a large number of small schools leading to mixed classes, this had affected the data. It was noted that the writing standards may be related to the challenges of practising writing while remote learning was in place.

Further information for language development for 2 year olds was requested and Steve Compton would forward this following the meeting.

Following the report, a presentation was received from Julie Johnson, Headteacher of Shrewsbury Academy and Tony Bishop, Director of Behaviour and Attitudes to update members on the progress made at the school over the past 12 months. Members applauded the efforts of all the staff in regards to the positive changes that have been made, the change in culture, the school’s community engagement and support on offer to both students and families.

RESOLVED:

1.          That the People Overview Committee noted the report. 

2.          That a future update is requested, including KS5, once nationally validated   assessment information is published. 

To receive further information on the forecast demand for school places in the local authority area.

Contact Phil Wilson – 01743 254344

Phil Wilson, Service Manager Business Support, presented the report to Members which provided an update to the report considered by the People Overview Committee at their meeting on 29 September 2021.

Members noted that since the last report to the People Overview Committee, two major school place planning projects have been completed:

·       the new five classroom teaching block at Meole Brace School was completed late in the autumn term 2021, opening to students in January 2022

·       the expansion of Harlescott Junior School, and the relocation of Sundorne Infant School to the junior school site, was completed in time for the staff and pupils to move in at the beginning of the summer term.

In September last year, following the launch of the Government’s national School Building Programme in 2019, two Shropshire schools – Belvidere School in Shrewsbury and St. Andrew’s CE Primary in Shifnal have been included in phases 1 and 2 respectively and will be completely rebuilt. In March 2022, the DfE invited nominations for schools to be included in future phases of the programme. Two schools out of five put forward have reached the assessment phase of the approval process and an update on these projects will be provided when further information was available.

Members questioned whether there was capital funding to improve the sustainability of existing schools as fuel costs increased. It was advised that although there was no additional funding available, rising energy costs were being discussed with Adrian Cooper, Climate Change Team Manager.

It was also questioned as to whether the findings of the Ockenden Review were affecting SEND need and suggested this could be looked into as a future agenda item.

Members felt that the achievements of the team had been overlooked and their work had been extremely successful. Thanks were extended to all officers and to Phil for his assistance whenever queries arose.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

To consider the future work programme of the Committee. Report attached.

Contact Danial Webb – 01743 258509

Members noted that there would be a single item agenda for the meeting on 16^th November regarding child criminal exploitation and that Educational Achievements and Outcomes would be brought back to committee in March 2023. This would be added to the work programme.

Danial Webb, Scrutiny Officer, would also circulate a guide for councillors on exploitation in advance of the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

To agree the proposed committee work programme attached as appendix 1.

To note that the next meeting of the People Overview Committee will be held at 10am on Wednesday 16^th November 2022.

Members noted that the next meeting would take place on Wednesday 16^th November at 10am.