Agenda item

This feasibility report presents information on the Extended Schools Agenda and asks Members to consider whether they wish to carry out a scrutiny review of this topic looking specifically at Quality and Take-up of Provision, and Community Use.  

Members considered a feasibility report that presented information on the Extended Schools Agenda. Members considered whether they wished to carry out a scrutiny review of this topic looking specifically at Quality and Take-up of Provision and Community Use.

Members received a verbal update from officers and were informed that currently 99.6% of primary schools and 100% of secondary schools were open from 8:00am until 6:00pm.

Members discussed the current Extended Schools agenda and what remit and key objectives they would like to set. Whilst making a decision Members took into consideration:

Ø     The extended schools agenda.

Ø     The core offers.

Ø     The current extended provision in York Schools.

Ø     The accessibility, timing, location and charging levels and whether it adds up to a genuine 8am to 6pm service.

Ø     Quality of what was provided, how this was monitored and evaluated.

Ø     Urban areas.

Ø     Primary and Secondary Schools.

Ø     Age ranges.

In answer to Members questions on affordability, officers informed Members that they would be bringing a paper on Hob Moor Neighborhood Nursery (Progress Report) to the Children's Services EMAP on 4th December 08. This report would include cost implications and Members requested that the Committee review the report before it was submitted to EMAP.

To assist Members with the review officers invited them to join the Extended Services Steering Group.  It was agreed that one Member would attend the group whilst the review was in process.

After a detailed discussion Members agreed to review the services available in Primary Schools covering age range 5 to 11.

The following remit and key objectives were agreed, with a completion timescale of 6 months:

Remit

To contribute to the development of processes aimed at ensuring a high quality of extended school provision, in order to maximise accessibility.

Key Objectives

1. Examine the proposed role and composition of the Multi-Agency Steering Group to confirm its functions are fit for purpose and that the appropriate partners and Directorates are involved

2. Assess affordability, quality and take up of childcare and activities for Children and Young People (core offer 1, aged 5 to 11) and identify ways of ensuring their sustainability. 

Members discussed how the review would be most efficiently undertaken and some suggestions received were:

Ø      Survey existing and potential service users

Ø      Discussion focus groups, talk to users and potential users to explore issues in more depth.

Cost implications associated with the above methods for gathering information were a concern and it was suggested an application for extra funds be drafted for submission to SMC in due course. 

RESOLVED: i) That the Education Scrutiny Committee proceed with this review.

                        ii) That a scoping report be submitted to the next meeting covering the agreed remit and key objectives on the Extended Schools Agenda

iii) That the Committee review the paper on Hob Moor Neighborhood Nursery (Progress Report) before it is submitted to Children’s Services EMAP on 4^th December.

iv) That one Member, still to be agreed, would attend the Extended Services Steering Group whilst the review was in progress.

REASON:  To contribute to the development processes aimed at ensuring a high quality of extended school provision, in order to maximise accessibility.