Agenda item

This report presents a high level summary of York Learning’s Self-Assessment Report (SAR) for the academic year 19/20.  It presents the high level findings from its annual review which are drawn from a number of contributory reports. 

Resolved: That the findings of the service’s self-assessment report be noted and the production and publication of the final report be agreed.

Reason: To help monitor the service and ensure robust governance arrangements.

The Executive Member considered a report that presented a high level summary of York Learning’s Self-Assessment Report (SAR) for the academic year 19/20.

The Interim Head of York Learning was in attendance to present the report and answer any questions. She confirmed that:

·        Apprenticeships who had been reporting minimum standards had improved their achievement rate from 50.7% to 71.9% and were successfully now out of minimum standards.

·        Tutors had responded quickly and positively during the pandemic to ensure learners could continue and engage with their learning online during lockdown.

·        Devices had been loaned to those learners that required IT equipment.

·        A Governance Board had been developed to support the governance process.

·        Provision for learners with High Needs was very good and York Learning continued to deliver education either face to face or online for those students with Education Health and Care plans (EHCP).

·        A new booking and Management Information System (MIS) had been introduced but communication and development of staff knowledge and skills required to use the system had been particularly difficult with all staff working from home.

·        Through lockdown daily learning challenges were shared via the hashtag ‘#communitylearningtogether,’ a Family Learning Facebook page aimed at parents was made available for home schooling tips, ‘call the tutor’ and an ICT helpdesk was available for anyone struggling with IT equipment.

·        The 16-18 study program had continued throughout the pandemic and was meeting the needs of some of the most vulnerable young people in the city. This was a full time programme which attracted those young people who could not attend college or other mainstream provision and although attendance was sometimes challenging, it was being well managed.

·        Apprenticeships had been the only provision to still grow during the pandemic with increased learner numbers on last year and good success outcomes for learners.

·        Retention rates had dropped significantly during the pandemic.

The Executive Member noted the strengths and challenges faced throughout the pandemic and the strength and areas for improvement highlighted by Ofsted.

In answer to questions raised by the Executive Member, it was confirmed that:

·        Positive relationships with learners had continued to be fostered by tutors, which had helped to motivate, inspire & contribute to the social wellbeing of learners.

·        Around 70 laptops had been loaned to learners to enable them to stay engaged.

·        New apprenticeship offers would be considered and staff continued to work together to promote the service and encourage referrals but lack of face to face engagement was a barrier to this.

·        The Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) would be considering the funding allocation for 2021/22, which could be significantly less due to the drop in numbers in all areas of learning since Covid hit (reduction of 442 learners and a reduction in 1122 enrolments).

The Executive Member commended all York Learning staff for their support and work during the pandemic and he thanked the Interim Head of Service for her update.

Resolved: That the findings of the service’s self-assessment report be noted and the production and publication of the final report be agreed.

Reason: To help monitor the service and ensure robust governance arrangements.