Agenda item

To consider the Head of Strategy, Engagement and Organisational Development’s Report No. SEO1601 (copy attached), which sets out the work carried out by the Council in relation to improving educational attainment in the Borough.

The Cabinet considered the Head of Strategy, Engagement and Organisational Development’s Report No. SEO1601, which provided an update on the work of the Council in seeking to improve educational attainment in the Borough. 

The Cabinet was reminded that, whilst Rushmoor’s primary schools continued to perform well, the GCSE results of Rushmoor’s secondary schools were not as high as the Hampshire and England averages and, in some, were significantly worse. Investigation had shown that recruitment of teachers, especially English teachers, was a significant problem for schools in the area. In this respect, Fernhill School had recently interviewed two outstanding candidates to work as English teachers and expressed a wish to employ both. However, the school’s challenging financial position meant that it was only able to fund one full time teacher and one for two days per week. The Council had been approached to contribute funding towards the remaining three days per week for the first year only. It was proposed that the cost of the additional three days, being around £60,000, should be split equally between the school, Hampshire County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council. It was further proposed that, if agreed, the teacher would teach at Fernhill for two days per week and would use the remaining three days to support improved teaching and learning of English in Fernhill and other Rushmoor Secondary Schools. It was reported that, in view of the urgency of this matter, the Chief Executive, in consultation with the previous Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Youth, had agreed that a grant of up to £20,000 should be made to Fernhill School from September 2016. In the meantime, officers would seek contributions from other organisations to offset the cost to the Council.

The Cabinet discussed the Report and the situation around educational attainment in general. Whilst support was shown for the Council’s interventions in educational attainment, Crs. Hurst and Lyon did not support the decision to give financial assistance to Fernhill School, on the basis that this could be perceived as favouritism. Members did discuss what else might assist local schools and ideas included considering starting army cadet groups within schools and researching the Government initiatives called ‘Troops to Teachers’ and ‘Teach Next’. It as also suggested that retired teachers could have a role to play in assisting local schools. It was agreed that educational attainment would be an ongoing issue for the Cabinet to engage with.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the action taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Youth, to provide up to £20,000 to be paid as a one-off grant to Fernhill School towards the recruiting of the teacher, as set out in the Head of Strategy, Engagement and Organisational Development’s Report No. SEO1601, be confirmed and endorsed; and

(ii)          the process of seeking of financial contributions from other organisations towards improving educational attainment, be approved.

NOTE:  Crs. D.E. Clifford and K.H. Muschamp declared prejudicial interests in this item, Cr. Clifford in respect of his company supplying goods to schools in the Borough and Cr. Muschamp in respect of his role as a Governor of Fernhill Secondary School and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, both left the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.