Agenda and minutes

The Forum considered a report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development, which asked members of the Forum to reconsider the Strategic Approach to the school re-organisation within Harrow.

The Director of Schools and Children’s Development informed the Forum that this report was at the initial stage of the re?organisation and that consultation was at an early phase.  She explained that high achievement in education was currently being challenged due to a change in demographics within the Borough.  She added that the ‘Building Schools for the Future Programme’ (BSF) had been submitted to the Department for Children, Schools and Families and that it had been allocated funding for 2013?2015.  There was an opportunity for the Council to re-submit the application to secure funding at an earlier stage.  As one of the Council’s Corporate Priorities, the Authority had considered the transfer of age of pupils at 11 to High School, as requested by parents within the Borough, however, this would not be possible without additional funding.

A Member noted that the BSF Programme included refurbishment of both primary and secondary schools.  Another Member confirmed that consultation had taken place in 2003 with all stakeholders, including pupils.  Harrow’s school system differed from most other councils nationally and it was noted that Harrow aimed to be a ‘Beacon of Excellence’.

A Member queried what guarantees were in place to ensure that the redevelopment of Whitmore High School would be completed as scheduled.  The Director of Schools and Children’s Development responded that as part of the submission a single contractor had been taken on board, which would save time in tendering.  In addition, penalty clauses were contained within the contract in case the contractor failed to deliver.  A Member suggested including milestones during the construction to ensure the Programme would be completed on time.

It was clarified that the age of transfer was not linked to amalgamation of schools and that the school governors would decide on the amalgamation. However it would result in some smaller schools moving to amalgamation, as they would not be sustainable with smaller numbers.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to Cabinet)

That the proposed approach to school re-organisation in Harrow be supported and approved.

[Reason for Recommendation:  To fulfil the Council’s Corporate Priorities.]

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Apologies for absence had been received from Mrs D Cawthorne, Ms H Henshaw, Mr A Jones and Councillor Manji Kara.

To receive declarations of:

(a)               personal or prejudicial interests, and 

(b)               gifts or hospitality with an estimated value of at least £25.00 received within the last 3 years of the date of this meeting,

arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(i)                 all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(ii)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note (1) the personal interests previously declared by members of the Forum, in relation to their governorships of schools, as set out in the minutes of the Education Consultative Forum held on 15 July 2004 (minute 110) and 30 January 2007 (minute 30);

(2)  that the following additional personal interests were declared:

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following items be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2)  all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

Minute 42 – Declarations of Interest: 

Mr H Chauhan be amended to Mr R Chauhan

Minute 52 – Learning Difficulty and Disability (LDD) Strategy: 

A paragraph be added reading “A member suggested that the LDD strategy should clearly state its vision:  ‘The children should achieve their full potential, including learning outcomes’.  Members agreed to take this suggestion forward.”

To consider any matters arising from the last meeting.

Minute 46 – Matters Arising:

A Member reminded the Director of Schools and Children’s Development of the request for an update on the Draft Budget for Consultation.  She stated that this item would be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

Minute 52 – Learning Difficulty and Disability (LDD) Strategy:

The Chairman informed the Forum that a glossary was currently being prepared, but because of its large size she proposed that it would not be attached to all future agendas.  A Member suggested only listing the explanations for the acronyms used in the report instead of attaching the full glossary.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received at this meeting under the provisions of the Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development.

The Director of Schools and Children’s Development informed members of the Forum that the tabled report outlining proposed school term dates for the academic year 2009?2010 was for information only.  She added that Harrow was ahead of other Local Authorities in planning school terms and therefore consultation with neighbouring boroughs was still taking place.

Members were asked to note the report and send any comments on the proposed dates to the relevant officer by 2 November 2007.  Officers would collate the feedback and report this to the Forum at the next meeting.  It was added that the normal procedures for consultation of schools would be followed.

RESOLVED:  That the above be noted.

Report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development.

The Director of Schools and Children’s Development informed the Panel that she had received legal advice on this item after the agenda had been published.  She stated that the proposals to publish formal notices to establish the Harrow Sixth Form Collegiate ought to be submitted to the schools adjudicator instead of being recommended for approval by Cabinet.  A report was tabled at the meeting, which explained that this was due to the transitional arrangements following the abolition of the School Organisation Committee.  It was stated that there were three possible outcomes of the submission, including the option of resubmission.  She added that the collegiate was the wish of parents and stakeholders in the Borough and asked members of the Forum to endorse the proposals.

A member queried what impact the collegiate in Harrow might have on school places in Hillingdon and if this would affect the choice of parents.  The Director of Schools and Children’s Development explained that there was no impact in Hillingdon in the first year and that the current maximum capacity of the Harrow collegiate had been reached.  It was clarified that the collegiate was taking in many students who would otherwise have decided to discontinue their education, students continuing their education outside the Borough from the age of 16 and students who would have gone to a school or college in another borough.  Hillingdon would have only taken in a small number of those students.  She added that students who were attending the collegiate would have otherwise attended colleges, which highlighted a shift from colleges to schools.  It was explained that the key concept of the collegiate was shared provisions and teaching amongst Harrow’s schools and colleges.

Members praised the partnership between the schools to establish the collegiate and stated that it could become a role model for other Local Authorities.  Members welcomed the report and thanked the Director of Schools and Children’s Development and her team for the work done.

RESOLVED:  To recommend to the schools adjudicator that the statutory proposals to make prescribed alterations to community schools, Salvatorian College, and the Sacred Heart Language College by increasing the age range of the schools to 18 years by the addition of a sixth form from 1 September 2008 be agreed.

Report of the Corporate Director of Children’s Services.

(See Recommendation 1).

To note that the next meeting of the Forum is due to be held on 29 January 2008.

RESOLVED:  To note that the next meeting of the Forum would be held on 29 January 2008.