Agenda item

This report explores the feasibility of the committee undertaking a scrutiny of actions taken to narrow gaps in attainment and progress in York.

Members considered a report which explored the feasibility of the committee undertaking a scrutiny review of actions taken to narrow the gaps in attainment and progress in York. The report put forward the proposed remit for the review as follows:

Aim:

To identify and disseminate best practice guidance on narrowing the gap to York schools.

Objectives:

(i)         To examine:

·         The actions taken by identified schools whose outturn data shows an established trend of narrowing the gap

·         The use of the pupil premium to narrow gaps in attainment and progress in those schools which are consistently narrowing the gap.

·         Good practice from other Local Authorities achieving narrower gaps, including early years.

(ii)        To draft some guidance proposals for dissemination through York schools.

The Assistant Director, Education and Skills,  advised the committee that, since the July meeting, additional analysis of the York 300 cohort had taken place which compared the performance of the York 300 against that of their peers and the results had been appended at Annex 1. Concern was raised that many schools were unable to attain a consistent narrowing of the gap and it was acknowledged this was very cohort driven with the characteristics of cohorts varying year to year especially in very small schools. It was noted that in some parts of the city, schools with very few pupils eligible for the pupil premium seemed to find it very hard to narrow the gap and that these schools could learn from best practice from other schools with narrower gaps in order to ensure they make best use of their resources. Members felt it would be useful to look at look at which schools were consistently narrowing the gap year on year to assess how they were achieving this.

Members were advised that on 9 December the National Pupil Premium Champion was due to lead on a conference in York which would provide the opportunity to showcase some of other work done in York schools to successfully narrow the gap. Members were also pleased to note the number of York clusters which had included narrowing the gap in their action plans for 2015.

Members expressed their support for undertaking the review but stressed the need to be able to add further value to the work already being undertaken by officers. Officers suggested that the involvement of the scrutiny committee would help evidence elected member support for school improvement. It was acknowledged that the review would need to be turned around fairly quickly taking into account other ongoing scrutiny reviews and the need to compete review work before the start of the forthcoming purdah period. It was agreed that the review should ideally be completed in time to allow the draft final report to be presented to the January 2015 meeting of the full committee.

It was agreed that a task group be established to undertake the review comprising Councillors Fitzpatrick, Wiseman and Brooks and co-opted statutory member Mr Andrew Pennington.

Resolved:      (a)       That the review be undertaken and the above remit be agreed.

                        (b)       That a Task Group comprising Councillor Fitzpatrick, Wiseman, Brooks and Mr Andrew Pennington (Coopted Statutory Member) be set up to carry out the review.

Reason:         To carry out the review in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols and conclude the review before the start of the forthcoming purdah period.