Issue - meetings

Warwickshire Education Strategy Annual Review 2019

Meeting: 14/07/2020 - Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 4)

4 Warwickshire Education Strategy Annual Review 2019 pdf icon PDF 199 KB

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Minutes:

Ian Budd, Assistant Director - Education Services confirmed that Covid-19 has had an impact on many council meetings, including the planned review of the Education Strategy; which had already faced a delay as a result of the General Election in December 2019.

 

The refreshed strategy is due to be published in September 2020 and will include new insights added as a result of the pandemic.  It was confirmed that there had been lots of learning in terms of e-learning, blended learning and distance learning following the closure of schools and all can be added to strengthen the offer made in the strategy and support for learning moving forward.

 

Following a question from Councillor Margaret Bell in relation to the placement of LAC and SEND children it was confirmed that school readiness is a key part of the Early Years strategy which is currently in progress.  The strategy will include the early identification of SEND children.  It was confirmed that there are regular reviews of the admissions policy to ensure that national framework and guidance is met.

 

The Committee noted that the aim for September 2020 was that all children will be back in school.  Backup plans have been shared with schools should there be an outbreak of coronavirus within a class/year bubble.  Schools will be issued with a number of tests for Covid-19.  Contingency plans are expected to be in place to avoid a repeat of the disruption seen in the early weeks of the pandemic. 

 

Following a question from Councillor Jonathan Chilvers and reintegration to a parent school following alternative provision (AP) placement, it was confirmed that every AP package is bespoke to the young person.  In majority of cases, links are maintained with the parent school, so the young person does not loose the link.  Duane Chappell, Strategy and Commissioning Manager (SEND & Inclusion) stated that it is essential that accountability is maintained throughout the AP process and that Warwickshire County Council must ensure that educational standards are maintained.

 

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It was agreed that a briefing note will be circulated to members of the Committee in relation to the Alternative Provision programme and package.

 

It was agreed that a summary note in relation to the Admissions and Appeals policy which is currently being worked on, will be circulated to members of the Committee.

 

It was noted that there report on the availability of school places across the county is scheduled to be presented at the Committee meeting in September 2020.

 

 

 

Resolved

 

That the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee note and comment on the progress and impact made with the Warwickshire Education (WE) Strategy to date in the 2019/20 school year, as summarised in this Mid-Year Review