Agenda item

Mr Munday talked about the inspection carried out by Ofsted and the CPC on services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the outcome of which was very positive. An action plan had been developed to focus on particular issues such as therapies and diagnosis which would be monitored and updates arising out of that would be reported back to a future Committee.

Cllr Longstaff congratulated Officers and the SEND team for all their work as noted in Parliament and for being top five for SEND services in the UK which was a great achievement. The Councillor also thanked all health partners, police and parents for their contribution.

Neil Marlow, Chief Executive and Director of Education and Learning, Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS) presented the report. The Committee was asked to note the outcome of the inspection and to delegate authority to the Executive Director to develop a Barnet response to the White Paper as well as explore the development of a Local Authority Multi Academy Trust.

One of the key points arising out of the White Paper and Schools Bill had been legally enforceable set of standards for academy trusts and a legal tool for LAs to request that some of their schools join an academy trust. It was noted that the Bill would provide protection and other benefits to schools.

A coordinated response to the White Paper was required to address the controversial decision to enjoin all Barnet schools to multi academy trusts.

One of the implications for Barnet was a minimum length of school week of 32.5 hours. There was the ambition that 90% of children would leave primary school by 2030 with expected standards in Reading, Writing and Maths. A drop in attainment was expected this year due to the loss of learning as a result of the pandemic. Ranking of schools however, remained at the top 10%.

Guidance would be provided to schools to achieve pre-pandemic levels of attendance.

A lot of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) support was already available in schools and the LA would continue to ensure that the needs of schools in SEMH would be met.

The LA worked well in partnership with schools by demonstrating the benefit of change rather than enforcing it on them. There was the possibility of BELS or the Local Authority starting one or more Multi Academy Trusts to help shape the future with schools by enhancing what was already being provided.

It was noted that the DFE had released a ‘Test and Learn’ for LAs which allowed the Local Authority to put in an interest as early adopter of the multi academy trust on a trial basis.

Officers suggested raising at the next Directors’ briefing that governing bodies and Headteachers start discussions with the LA on the new prospect.

A motion was moved and seconded by the Chair for an additional recommendation to be added as follows:

To delegate the Executive Director to explore options for sharing the expertise in Barnet with DfE officials. Officers should seek to maximise opportunities to pilot or seek grant funding to benefit local schools identified through the White and Green Papers.

The motion was carried.

Schools have been engaged on the implications of the Green Paper. The three key challenges noted were outcomes for children with SEND, navigation of the system where alternative provision was not suitable for families and investment to ensure that the system was delivering value for money for families.

Mainstream schools would be directed to follow the new national standards that would ensure children’s needs were met effectively through mainstream provision. A single national formula proposed by the DFE would allow the government to set funding levels.

In terms of mediation, families and councils would be required to engage on disputes prior to appeals, to help reduce the number of tribunals. Parents would also be offered a tailored list of schools by Admissions.

RESOLVED That Committee:

-Notes the outcome of the SEND Local Area inspection by Ofsted and the CQC

-Agrees the Action Plan attached at Appendix A

-Notes the Congratulatory Letter attached at Appendix B from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families

-Notes the contents of the Government’s White Paper “Opportunity for all: Strong Schools with great teachers for your child” and potential implications for schools, settings and the Local Authority.

-Delegates to the Executive Director, in consultation with the Committee Chair, the authority to develop a Barnet response to the White Paper in discussion with local schools and settings.

-Agrees to delegate authority to the Executive Director to explore the development of a Local Authority Multi-Academy Trust with schools in Barnet and bring back proposals to a future CES committee.

-Notes the contents of the DfE Green Paper “Right Support, Right Place, Right Time” and the potential implications for schools, settings and the Local Authority.

-Delegates the Executive Director to explore options for sharing the expertise in Barnet with DfE officials. Officers should seek to maximise opportunities to pilot or seek grant funding to benefit local schools identified through the White and Green Papers.