To consider and make recommendations to the executive on the Education, development and skills strategy (appendix a).

The committee considered a report which contained the draft education, development and skills strategy for preview scrutiny ahead of its approval by the executive. The DCF introduced the report and outlined the role of the Council and its core legal responsibilities. It was explained that the educational landscape was complex with maintained schools, academies and free schools and the regional schools commissioner. The strategy was based on the principles of keeping children safe and giving them a great start in life. There was a particular focus in the strategy on 16-19 education and reducing the gap in attainment for additional needs and free school meals pupils.

The committee raised the issues below in the discussion that followed:

·         A query was raised regarding performance measures and action plans associated with the strategy. The DCF explained that performance would be assessed through performance challenge sessions and cabinet performance reports. 

·         When would further details of the review of the strategy to improve SEN and disabilities provision be available and would there be a role for the committee in this work? The strategic approach had already secured £500k to be used in Herefordshire to promote improvement from the DfE and also a successful bid to develop a 16-19 SEN Free School. The DCF explained that further work would be undertaken in the autumn and the SEN task and finish group could be involved in work around the review of the strategy.  

RESOLVED: that the Committee:

·         supports the Strategy as a high level statement of intent and requests that further detail on the individual projects is circulated when available; and

·         requests that the committee is involved in the review of the SEND strategy.