· A community presentation from a representative of Early Years at Rotherhithe Primary School.
· Officer from children’s services to give an overview of education provision in Southwark.
· To discuss the Schools Admissions Policy.
· Officer from School Governor Support – to talk about role and responsibilities.
· Question and answer session with Cllr Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for children’s services.
Minutes:
Early Years representative, Rotherhithe Primary School
A representative from Rotherhithe Primary School was present to outline that the school were able to secure funding for a children’s centre which provides a range of activities for the pupils. He explained that he would like parents to become more involved like the Parents Forum which encourages them to run activities.
The parent representatives are committed and are encouraged to be active and develop their skills. The Forum meet on Wednesdays at 1.00pm – 2.45pm.
General overview of education, secondary and primary
Pauline Armour, Assistant Director of 05 – 11 services & inclusion was present to give an overview of education provision in Southwark. She said that the quality of education has improved and is reflected in the league tables, it is also due to good partnership because exam results are now in line with the national average.
Ofsted considered most schools in the area had reached their targets and raised attainment even though the Council are still looking at new ways to raise standards in Southwark Schools. In Rotherhithe, proposals are being forward to raise attainment in some primary schools whereas had exceeded the national average in line with more wealthier boroughs like Richmond.
Admissions Policy
Cllr David Hubber spoke in his role as a member of scrutiny children’s services explained the sub committee are seeking information about admissions, visiting schools and talking to parents. The current policy is too detailed and difficult for those whose English is not their first language. He encouraged people to put their views across to local councillors, scrutiny clerk or the Rotherhithe neighbourhood coordinator.
People expressed their views about the admissions policy at Bacon’s College stressing that the policy should change. Demographically it is not sustainable, needs forward thinking and planning. Local children who live in the Downtown area leave home early to attend neighbouring colleges in other parts of the Borough and in cases outside the Borough.
School Governor Support – role and responsibilities
David Lister, Manager of School Governor Support was present to talk briefly about the team’s role and responsibilities. He explained that previously governors did not have the powers they have now. Since 1986 the local authority has less powers but the school, head teacher and governing body have more of say.
The support team also provide training sessions at Schools, provide topic training in general and provide advice and support to those wishing to be a school governor.
What do Governors do?
They are in charge of the strategic element of the running of the School but not day to day running, that is the role of the head teacher.
The 2002 Education Act explains what the role of a school governor is a crucial role on of which is to appoint a head teacher and on a rare occasion dismiss a head teacher.
A school governor is involved in strategic planning, oversee the budget and looking at children’s attainment.
The different types of governors
· Parent governors, you do not have to be a parent or know about education matters. No qualifications are necessary but you must show a genuine commitment for the four year period. You would be expected to attend three meetings per term and the visit the School during the day.
· Local authority governors are appointed by the local authority that maintains the school. Authorities can decide to fill these posts to reflect the local political balance, although such governors are primarily appointed with a view to their commitment to raise standards at the school concerned.
· Community governors are appointed by the governing body. They are intended to enable the governing body to add specific areas of expertise. Also they could be local business people or a parent of a school. All categories of school, except voluntary aided schools, have community governors. Community governors cannot be employed to work at the school, be pupils currently at the school or be an elected member of the local authority.
· Foundation governors (at voluntary aided, voluntary controlled and some foundation and foundation special schools only) are selected by the appointing body to which the school is attached i.e. church schools. They are appointed to preserve and develop the religious character of the school.
Role of the clerk, governing body meetings
The clerk is responsible for producing agenda, minutes and provide advice. The officer stressed that it was important to have a professional clerking so the person’s relevant skills are adhered to guidelines.
Cabinet member for children’s services
Cllr Catherine McDonald introduced herself as cabinet member for children’s services. She stated that the council has always recognised the need for a new School in Rotherhithe. The previous administration and the previous government agreed provisional funding for a new school in Rotherhithe. She said that last summer the government confirmed that the funding was unaffected by other government cuts to the national Building Schools for the Future programme but in November the government wrote to the council saying that the £19.6m funding previously provisionally allocated for the new 5 form of entry secondary school would no longer be made available by the government.
She said that in the same letter the government said it recognised the need for 2 additional forms of entry, and that it would work alongside the council to identify an alternative but the council had not yet received from government any confirmation of the amount or timing of any funding.
Cllr McDonald urged people to take part in Bacon’s admissions consultation process. Reference was also made in regard to the motion submitted at the last meeting concerning the above explaining that it was the present central Government who decided to withdraw funding.
Simon Hughes MP stated that there was clearly a demand for a secondary school in the Borough. It was important that the site should be council owned because if it were private land then it could be more expensive. He stressed that if the Council could make a case then central Government would respond to that. In his view there was a case which should go ahead based on the previous administration’s recommendations as there was an urgent need for a secondary School.
Simon Hughes MP explained that if the proposal went ahead the Council should consider a non denominational school to give parents a choice and that he hoped it would be also be a secular school. That could prove popular like Bacon’s College.
Cllr Catherine McDonald said it was important to note that both the present administration and local MP agree for this school to go ahead.
Some local residents felt the new school should be somewhere in the Hawkstone area and a 1300 student school is likely to be too small.
At the end of questions and discussion there was a general consensus that a catchment school was needed in the Rotherhithe area and the Council should immediately pursue a business case to central Government.
The chair confirmed that any issues of local concern that were raised at community councils could be submitted by way of a deputation or public question at Full Council.
Therefore the urgent need for a secondary school in Rotherhithe would be highlighted to the next Full Council and feedback given at the next meeting.