To receive and consider a report containing the Ofsted reports which were released since the last meeting and the Schools’ Performance Indicators.

Gillian Cole, Service Manager for Schools presented the Schools’ Performance Indicators and Ofsted reports report.

Gillian Cole went through in detail over a report outlining the school outcomes results for 2019.  This report had been prepared for a discussion at the March meeting which had been cancelled because of the pandemic. The 2019 school performance outcomes were as listed in the report.

Some of the comments made following Gillian Cole’s presentation are listed below:

·           Councillor Mickleburgh asked what attempts were being made to identify best practice in similar local authorities and he was also interested to know what other factors impacted performance, apart from financial factors;

·           Gillian Cole stated that the service actively sought to identify and understand best practice from other local authorities.  Wokingham was part of the PAN Berkshire wide group which shared best practice across the region; Wokingham took part in Voice 21 which was an oracy model providing help to teachers and schools to improve language.  Additionally, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) had found that some local authorities were experiencing the same challenges in trying to close the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers; as a result they had created a research group which had produced material which was shared with schools;

·           Gillian Cole stated that other factors that could affect performance were English as an additional language (EAL), for example;

·           Gillian Cole stated that schools were required to demonstrate how they used the Pupil Premium funding to help those children who were entitled to it;

·           In response to a question Gillian Cole stated that children of white and black/Caribbean mixed race tended to perform less well than their peers; there was a different data set in relation to BAME children.

Gillian Cole stated that Ofsted had suspended inspections during the lockdown period and therefore there were no new reports at this stage.  Going forward, during the current pandemic, Ofsted was going to conduct survey visits in the form of a conversation with senior leaders at schools.  These conversations would not lead to a formal judgement.

In response to a question Gillian Cole stated that schools had not reported any particular concerns over the proposed Ofsted survey visits and one school had volunteered to have a visit.

Gillian Cole stated that as everyone knew, the government had removed the requirement for school exams this year, therefore there would not be any national or local data set for 2020.  It was anticipated that tests would take place in 2021 and it was possible they may be delayed to allow for more preparation time.

Gillian Cole stated that the service had been running round the table drop in sessions to support schools’ leadership teams during this whole period.  These sessions had been well attended and offered an opportunity to share experiences.

Gillian Cole stated that most teachers, parents and students had been positive about the schools re-opening this term.  She pointed out that each school site was different, with different classroom layouts and different organisation methods.

Gillian Cole stated that the local authority had been discussing issues around transport to school in view of the current situation.

Sal Thirlway stated that schools would receive £80 catch up premium per child. 

Councillor Croy asked about the re-instatement of hot meals at schools.  Gillian Cole stated schools were trying to work out how to make this possible; at the moment class spaces were being used to eat lunches.  Sal Thirlway stated that there was no additional budget for hot meals and schools had to decide how best to manage their budgets.

Gillian Cole stated that the round the table sessions were going to continue, the service would help schools to make the best use of the catch up premium and the national tutoring programme.

Councillor Bray asked that some consideration be given to helping families with the cost of uniforms, especially in view of the increased financial difficulties during this time.

RESOLVED That the report be noted.