Issue - meetings

To receive and comment on the Warwickshire Education Strategy 2024 – 2029 and its priorities.

Rachel Jackson, Head of Education Strategy & Transformation presented the report which outlined the Council’s strategic focus for the next five years.  The strategy had been approved by Council on 23 July 2024 and was now part of delivery in service.

Rachel Jackson outlined the purpose of the strategy and expanded on the direction and focus, strategic links, coordinated responses to challenges and transformation.  She also advised how the strategy fitted into the seven areas of focus detailed in the Warwickshire County Council plan.

The presentation covered the four Education priorities which included Best Start, SEND & Inclusion, Sufficiency & Admissions, and Strong Systems. Members noted the similarities between the HWBB priorities including the aim and ambitions, along with details on how the strategies linked to the ICS strategy.

Councillor Sue Markham highlighted the anomaly of some data within the document which changed from numbers to percentages and requested consistency where possible.

Councillor Penny-Anne O’Donnell welcomed the report and was pleased to see the higher number of children in care achieving a strong pass rate in English and Maths.  She asked for clarification on the number of EHCP’s that had been referred to tribunal. At a later point in the meeting, Nigel Minns confirmed that approximately 2.7% of EHCP’s were referred to tribunal.

Councillor Penny-Anne O’Donnell also queried whether the standardisation of the Eleven Plus exam had resulted in an increase of applications to mainstream schools.  In response, Nigel Minns advised that the Council has seen a small rise in the number of enquiries from parents of children in independent schools in the summer but this had not resulted in an actual increase in applications.

In relation to the nursery place funding, Councillor Marian Humphreys asked if objectives could be imposed with regards to readiness.  She felt that many youngsters starting reception did not have sufficient life skills such as toileting or the ability to dress themselves.

Councillor Barker asked for clarification on the sufficiency strategy, where schools were placed and why.  Nigel Minns responded and advised that the Department for Education quality assured the strategies each year.

The school choices parents could make were also discussed.  Councillor Barker felt that parents would want to go to school most local to them, enabling them to walk there and reduce car journeys.  Nigel Minns advised that parents could rank their choices, but they did not always choose the school closest to them, choosing other schools for a range of reasons.

Resolved

That the Health and Wellbeing Board notes the priorities of the Warwickshire Education Strategy 2024 – 2029 and works with colleagues and partners to support its delivery.