Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) 14 December 2009

Report of the Director of Learning and Development

Progress Report on the Development of Community Focused Schools in Vale schools

Purpose of the Report

1.      To bring to the attention of the Scrutiny Committee for Lifelong Learning the position in respect of the development of a Community Focused Schools (CFS).

Recommendations

1.      Scrutiny Members note the progress which has been achieved in promoting the Community Focused Schools agenda within the Vale of Glamorgan.

2.      Scrutiny Committee express their views on the draft CFS Strategy.

3.      Scrutiny Members request a further report on CFS in April 2010.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1.      Members are apprised of developments in CFS.

2.      Members comment on the draft CFS Strategy.

3.      To keep CFS under review.

Background

2.      Community Focused Schools (CFS) is a Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) grant funded initiative aimed at developing schools as centres of learning and support to pupils, families and the wider community.

3.      CFS supports out of school hours learning (OSHL) and advocates that the school becomes a community resource which is available for a range of activities some of which may take place beyond the normal school day, ie. 'A Community Focused School is one that provides a range of services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and the wider community'.

4.      CFS in the Vale has been established since 2007 with CFS Cluster Coordinators accommodated in Secondary schools across the Authority.

5.      Funding criteria has changed over the last year and grant funding is now available and partially ringfenced, to support additional childcare provision.

6.      The core priorities and values for learners in the Vale are expressed in our vision for Education: Education 2015. As such, it is timely that provision such as CFS be aligned with the core priorities.

7.      Additionally, funding criteria makes it clear that areas of identified need should receive a targeted approach to CFS so that services and agencies become more aligned with specific needs and priorities which may be centred on individual schools and families.

8.      The role of the CFS Cluster Coordinators is to facilitate the alignment of support services and agencies with those identified as being most in need.

9.      The Childcare Sufficiency Audit, Community First Areas and RAISE schools will be a particular focus for CFS support; however, this will not necessarily be to the exclusion of other areas.

10.    A CFS Manager has been appointed to oversee this work and to facilitate a more targeted approach to CFS.  This post has been established from within existing CFS resources.

11.    CFS Cluster Coordinators are line managed by the CFS Manager and now work out of Provincial House

12.    A new CFS Strategy has been devised and a new CFS Steering Group has been established to guide the work of the CFS Team. The CFS Strategy Team are currently finalising the CFS Strategy and overseeing the grant application process.

13.    All schools have been encouraged to apply for CFS grant funding to develop their approach to CFS.

14.    It is timely for Scrutiny to consider developments to date, to consider the draft CFS Strategy and also to receive a progress report in April 2010 as the new strategy starts to become established.

Relevant Issues and Options

15.    To date, CFS has been involved in a number of successful programmes, some have engaged all schools and others have been implemented in specific clusters.  A summary of CFS led initiatives in the Vale of Glamorgan in the last year is attached at Appendix 1.

16.    A draft Community Focused School Strategy is attached at Appendix 2.  Scrutiny members are invited to comment on the document.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

17.    The Community Focused School initiative is fully funded via a direct Welsh Assembly Grant.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

18.    There are no legal implications arising from this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

19.    Many of the initiatives help to engage young people and communities to reduce the risks of crime and disorder.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

20.    All initiatives are developed to reflect the Council's commitment to equality of opportunities

Corporate/Service Objectives

21.    This initiative is consistent with the Council's objectives for Education and Lifelong Learning as detailed in Education 2015.

Policy Framework and Budget

22.    This is a matter for Executive decision by Cabinet.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

23.    No consultation necessary at this stage.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

24.    Lifelong Learning.

Background Papers

Contact Officer

Lynette Jones, Head of School Improvement Service

Officers Consulted

Lynne Osborne, CFS Manager

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys

Director of Learning & Development