Agenda item

To receive a report from County Councillor Roz Chadd, Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services. The report will provide information on attainment levels for 2021, prospects for 2022, skills issues/gaps and collaboration with district authorities.

The Committee welcomed County Councillor (CC) Roz Chadd, Executive Lead Member for Education and Skills, who was in attendance to provide an update on attainment levels in 2021, prospects for 2022, skills issues/gaps and collaboration with district authorities.

CC Chadd, gave an overview of the primary schools in the Borough, of which there were 30, four of which were academies. In relation to the OFSTED ratings, 83% rated as “good” locally compared to 85% nationally and 43% were rated “outstanding” compared to 21% nationally. Four schools “required improvements”, one of which was an academy, the three maintained schools were being supported by Hampshire County Council (HCC) and it was hoped that each would achieve a “good” OFSTED rating when next reviewed. It was noted that no schools were rated “inadequate” in the Borough.

With regard to the attainment levels in the primary schools, it was noted that no formal examinations had taken place during the pandemic, however key stages (KS) 1&2 levels were strong in comparison to national data. Across Hampshire, Rushmoor had out performed all districts with the exception of Hart and Winchester at KS1&2 in 2019.

With regard to the secondary schools, it was noted that there were three secondaries and one all through school. Fernhill was currently receiving support as the last OFSTED rating had been “requires improvement”. A lot of work had been put in by the school and HCC officers and the school were currently awaiting another inspection where they hoped to gain a “good” rating. In 2020, Alderwood, the local all through school, had achieved a “good” OFSTED rating alongside Cove and Wavell schools.

The attainment levels in the secondary schools was noted and it was advised that an improvement had been realised between the 2018 and 2019 results. The pass rate of grade 4 or above for English and Maths had been 58% compared to the national average of 63%. Attainment 8, which is used to measure how well children were doing at KS4, was currently at 4.2 compared to a 4.6 national average.

The Committee reviewed the specialist school provision in the Borough, which included Samuel Cody, Henry Tyndale and Rowhill Schools. It was noted that Samuel Cody, which achieved a “good” rating from OFSTED in 2017, was due to expand in September 2022, offering an additional 90 places over a phased three year period. The school supported children with moderate learning disabilities. Henry Tyndale, the specialist school for children aged 2-19 with more complex learning disabilities had 155 pupils and had achieved an “outstanding” OFSTED rating in 2016. The Henry Tyndale early years setting operated out of Cherrywood School under a joint headship with shared knowledge and expertise. Rowhill School was the setting for the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). PRU catered for secondary aged children who had been permanently excluded, were at risk of exclusion, were medically unwell or suffered from high levels of emotional needs. It was advised that referrals could be made from Rushmoor, Hart and East Hampshire. The unit offered intensive short term interventions to help pupils return to mainstream schooling. The most recent OFSTED report in 2018 had considered the school “good”.

The Committee was advised of the mental health support provision in schools. It was noted that mental health issues in young people had increased during the pandemic and, to help address the rising issues, an initiative had been implemented to provide mental health support teams within schools. HCC had been successful in the bidding process for Rushmoor and secured funds to recruit mental health professionals to work within the Borough’s schools although recruitment had been a challenge. It was noted that currently there was a team based in one school in the Borough which supported other schools through engagement with pupils and headteachers. It was also advised that schools could use their funding to engage outside organisations to address mental health issues within their settings through various methods such as plays and workshops.

The Committee discussed the wider impacts of the pandemic and noted that the focus for curriculum catch up within schools was primarily on the transition years (Years 2-3 and 6-7). It was also noted that HCC continued to advise schools to follow Department of Education guidelines on COVID measures, where appropriate.

It was explained that HCC continued to look for additional provision for Special Educational Needs (SEN) settings and it was noted that a consultation was underway for a satellite provision at Park Primary for Henry Tyndale. An autism unit at Pinewood Infants which would follow through to Guillemont Junior School.

The Committee noted what Rushmoor could do to support schools and skills within the Borough. CC Chadd recommended that Rushmoor could join the newly established Hampshire Regeneration and Growth Partnership, encourage staff and councillors to take up roles as school governors and ensure local businesses engage with the community by offering apprenticeships which could now be supported by the HCC apprenticeship levy.

CC Chadd also gave an overview of Children’s Services. It was noted that Children’s Services had seen a 15-20% increase in initial contact since the start of the pandemic, this however had not been reflected in the numbers of children moving into care, which had remained static. In response to a query, it was advised that a social worker’s workload depended on experience.  With regard to Children’s Homes it was noted that only one had been closed during the pandemic with a small number of children being moved around to ensure safety. In addition, there was a national push on the recruitment of foster carers which were in short supply across the country.

The Committee discussed the presentation and in response to a query regarding home learning during the pandemic it was indicated that as children from deprived areas had generally been in school during the pandemic it was felt that it had been children from middle income families, who may be time poor, that had suffered more. As teachers understood best what pupils needed most. intervention would be led by them. Further queries regarded children crossing borders to attend school in some areas, it was advised that this was balanced with similar numbers coming into Rushmoor to attend school from adjoining counties. It was explained that SEN schools had no catchment areas and could be attended by pupils from outside the Borough.

The Chairman thanked CC Chadd for her presentation and stated that the Committee would welcome an update following the 2022 examinations on attainment levels in Rushmoor’s schools.