Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) : 14th December 2009

Report of the Director of Learning and Development

Vale of Glamorgan Council and Maintained Schools: Partnership Arrangements

Purpose of the Report

1.     To bring to the attention of the Scrutiny Committee for Lifelong Learning the Draft Schools Partnership Agreement.

2.     To provide opportunity for the Scrutiny Committee for Lifelong Learning to consider the document

Recommendations

1.     That Scrutiny Committee Members note the content and scope of the agreement.

2.     That Scrutiny Committee members identify any issues which require further clarification.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1.     To ensure members are aware of the Partnership Agreement.

2.     To enable any issues requiring further clarification to be identified.

Background

3.     The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has directed Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in Wales to enter into a partnership agreement with the governing bodies of each of the schools maintained by the authority. Agreements are required for primary, secondary, nursery and special schools. The agreement must set out how a LEA and a governing body will carry out their respective functions in relation to a school.

4.     Many schools and LEAs in Wales already work in close partnership. The statutory Code of Practice on LEA/School Relations put in place by the Welsh Office in 1999 has helped to foster partnership working.

5.     However, the partnership between LEAs and schools does not always work smoothly. There is sometimes uncertainty about what LEAs should provide for their schools and what schools are expected to deliver. Lack of understanding or clarity of the respective responsibilities of LEAs and schools can lead to difficulty and could detract from and undermine what schools achieve.

6.             The purpose of the Partnership Agreement is to enhance and sustain partnership working between the LEA and schools, a strong theme of the ‘Making the Connections’ agenda and the Beecham Report. The Welsh Assembly Government believes that working in partnership will help raise standards in Welsh Public Services and outcomes for learners.

7.             Accordingly, the Welsh Assembly Government has developed the School Effectiveness Framework to support improving children and young people’s learning and wellbeing. The School Effectiveness Framework aims to develop tri-level working between schools, local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government, to work together for the benefit of learners and Wales. Partnership Agreements are a tool in the quest for improved School Effectiveness. The Agreements provide a formal,  basis that will make clear the roles of LEAs and schools, by setting out how the LEA and governing body of a school will discharge their respective functions on specified matters.

8.             By setting out in one document the matters on which an LEA and a school must agree, and by the process of agreement itself, the Partnership Agreement will provide a firm basis for working together and promoting higher standards in schools.

Relevant Issues and Options

9.             A working group has been formed to ensure compliance with Section 197 of the Education Act 2002 that requires all LEAs in Wales to enter into individual Partnership Agreements with governing bodies.

10.        The working group consists of a Head teacher from each cluster group, the Diocesan Directors for Education from the Roman Catholic and Church in Wales sectors and a Vale School Governors’ Association representative together with officers from the LEA.

11.        The group has worked in partnership with LA Officers to devise the draft Partnership Agreement which is attached for consideration.

12.        Additionally, the Head teacher Steering Group has been consulted and twilight briefing sessions have been arranged to provide opportunity for Head teachers to consult with LA Officers and Governor Support personnel.

13.        Further opportunity for consultation with all Head teachers took place at the joint Head teacher meeting on 3/12/09.

14.        It is clear that whilst the purpose of the document is to clarify the current obligations of schools and the Local Authority, detailing the range and scale of these obligations has led to a level of concern at school level.  School Governor Induction and training arrangements have tended to focus on key obligations.  Presenting the full range of responsibilities in a single document represents a daunting prospect for governors.

15.        The consultation process has highlighted this as an issue which will need to be addressed in the way that the document is finalised and launched.  This process will also assist schools to ensure that the business of the Governing Body reflects the accountability framework.

16.        The process of discussion and refinement of the document has also assisted the Directorate to identify a range of issues which require further clarification.  This will be built into the Directorate work programme.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

17.        The Partnership Agreement obligations are funded from within current resources.

Legal Implications (to include Human Rights Implications)

18.        The Partnership Agreement is a requirement under the Maintained Schools (Partnership Agreements)(Wales)Regulations 2007.

Crime and Disorder Implications

19.        None.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

20.        The Partnership Agreement clarifies responsibilities to ensure equality of opportunity.

Corporate/Service Objectives

21.        The Partnership Agreement will become a key document to guide schools and the Local Authority in delivering agreed priorities for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Policy Framework and Budget

22.        This will be a matter for Executive decision by Cabinet.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

23.        The Partnership Agreement is currently out to consultation with Governing Bodies and Head teachers in all schools.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

24.        Lifelong Learning.

Background Papers

Welsh Assembly Guidance

Contact Officer

Lynette Jones, Head of School Improvement

01446 709734

Officers Consulted

Education Management Team

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys

Director of Learning & Development