Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning] 30th November 2009

Report of the Director of Learning and Development

School Effectiveness Framework

Purpose of the Report

1.             To brief Members on the development of the all Wales School Effectiveness Framework [SEF].

Recommendations

1.             That Scrutiny Members note the developments of the SEF.

2.             That Scrutiny Members identify any issues which they would wish to explore in more detail.

3.             That a further report be brought to Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning].

Reasons for the Recommendations

1/3       To ensure Members are aware of SEF developments and to seek their views.

Background

2.             The Welsh Assembly Government is investing resource in the development of an integrated School Effectiveness Framework which is designed to improve outcomes for children and young people through collaborative tri-level reform [reform at school, Local Authority and Assembly Government levels].

Relevant Issues and Options

3.             The development of an integrated School Effectiveness framework is an objective which is widely supported within the education community in Wales.  The principle of improved collaboration to share and promote good practice within clear structures of accountability is a positive development.

4.             Attached at Appendix 1 is a briefing note which outlines the key components of the SEF.

5.             Over the next year, the four strands of the work programme which will be developed are:-

·     Establishing the system changes

·     Improvement support and accountability

·     Teaching curriculum and leadership

·     Working with others.

6.             Whilst the SEF principles are supported, there are a number of anxieties which will need to be addressed as the programme is developed.  These include:-

·     Ensuring that the programme properly identifies and builds upon existing good practice.  Whilst improvement is needed, there are many aspects of the current arrangements which need to be secured.

·     Ensuring that SEF is developed in genuine partnership and that the strategic direction is informed by commentary from schools and local authorities.

·     Ensuring that any developments are take into account of the resource pressures on schools and local authorities.

·     Minimising any gap between the Assembly Government capacity and resources to strategise and school and local authority capacity to deliver.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

7.             The full resource implication of SEF will not be clear until the programme is further developed.  The Assembly Government have committed £5.7m to the programme over the next two years.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

8.             There are no legal implications arising out of this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

9.             There are no crime and disorder implications arising out of this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

10.        A commitment to equality of opportunity and Welsh Language education support is included in programme requirements.

Corporate/Service Objectives

11.        This outcome will impact on the Council's priorities for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Policy Framework and Budget

12.        This report is a briefing for Scrutiny Members at this stage.  As the programme develops, specific proposals will be presented through the Scrutiny and Cabinet processes where executive decisions are required.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

13.        None.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

14.        Lifelong Learning.

Background Papers

SEF

Contact Officer

Lynette Jones, Head of Achievement

Officers Consulted

Education Management Team

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys, Director of Learning and Development