Agenda and decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

School Performance 2023 - 2024 for Vulnerable Pupils

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that presented a summary analysis of vulnerable pupil performance in the academic year 2023-2024 for all key stages and all providers in the Borough. It was informed by the latest available data, some of which remained unvalidated and compared to national and regional averages where they exist.  It included performance outcomes for:

- Pupils in receipt of Pupil Premium Funding;

- Performance by gender;

- Performance by ethnicity;

- Children and Young People in Our Care;

- Children with Special Needs;

- Children from Service Families;

- Attendance and exclusion figures for Stockton.

Some of the key figures included:-

In Stockton in 2024*:

a.       9599 of Stockton’s 29297 pupils are eligible for Pupil Premium and are classified as disadvantaged. This is 31.6% of the cohort.  This is 4.7% higher than the national average of 27.3%

b.       27.1% of pupils in primary schools are eligible for Free School Meals (FSMEver6). This is  2.9% higher than the national average of 24.2%

c.        27.3% of pupils in secondary schools are eligible for Free School Meals (FSMEver6).  This is 3.3% higher than the national average of 24%

d.       1.3% pupils are identified as Children in Our Care (CIOC).  This is 0.64% higher than the national average of 0.66%.

e.       4,194 of Stockton's 32,182 pupils are classified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support provision, this is 13.0% of the cohort. This is 0.3% lower than the national average of 13.3% (Source NCER Census Data - Spring 24 Census exc. subsidiary pupils)

f.        1,499 of Stockton’s 32,182 pupils are classified as having SEN Education Health and Care Plan provision (EHCP), this is 4.7% of the cohort.  This is 0.1% higher than the national average of 4.6% (Source NCER Census Data - Spring 24 Census exc. subsidiary pupils)

g.       8.1% of pupils in primary schools have a first language other than English. This is 14.6% lower than the national average of 22.7% (Source NCER Census Data - Spring 24 Census exc. subsidiary pupils).

h.       7.1% of pupils in secondary schools have a first language other than English. This is 11.4% lower than the national average of 18.5% (Source NCER Census Data - Spring 24 Census exc. subsidiary pupils).

i.         12% of pupils in North East are identified as long-term disadvantaged (3).  The highest percentage is in London (15%). Long-term disadvantage varies considerably across the country.

j.         Disadvantaged pupils tend to do worse than their better-off peers.

k.        Those who are disadvantaged for the longest time do worst of all.

l.         2021/22 data (4) evidences 32.6% of children in Stockton are living in poverty, compared to 29% in the UK.  This is an increase of 7.1% points since 2014/15, whilst the UK average is the same as at that point.

m.      There is no longer any statutory reporting of pupil outcomes  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

1.

Title of Item/Report

Procedure for Admission of Pupils to Primary and Secondary Schools in September 2026

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that outlined the admission arrangements the Local Authority (LA) was proposing, for entry into both primary (Reception) and secondary (Year 7) schools in September 2026.  To comply with legislation for admission in September 2026, the report included the co-ordinated timetable, the Published Admission Number (PAN) for all Primary and Secondary Schools for that year and the LA’s proposed Admission Policy (Oversubscription Policy) for Community maintained and Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools for entry in September 2026.

Appendix 1 to the report provided further detail of the proposed Co-ordinated Admission arrangements timetable – 2026/27.

Appendix 2 to the report provided the proposed PANs for September 2026 in Community, VA, Academies and Free Schools and highlighted those schools to be considered for expansion and remodelling.

Appendix 3 to the report provided further detail on the proposed LA’s Admission Policy for September 2026 for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools only, that would give priority to applications for admission to a school if that school was oversubscribed.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The proposed Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme for Primary, Secondary, Voluntary Aided (VA) schools, Academies and Free School (points 5-6 and Appendix 1 of the report) be agreed.

2. The proposed PANs for Primary and Secondary schools for September 2026 (points 7-10 and Appendix 2 of the report) be agreed.

3. The proposed Admission Policy for September 2026 (point 11-14 and Appendix 3 of the report) be agreed.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The main legislation (Chapter 1 of Part 3 of SSFA 1998) requires the LA to publish information annually and to be available for parents when they apply for a place at primary and secondary schools.  The information must comply with the new School Admissions Code 2021. The LA must, as the admission authority determine, i.e., formally agree its admission arrangements, even if it hasn’t changed from the previous year and a consultation has not been required. These arrangements therefore must be determined by 28 February 2025 for admission to Primary and Secondary schools in September 2026.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight Friday 21 February 2025

1.

Title of Item/Report

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030.

The local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-30 aimed to unite ambitions and commitments across the Council, local organisations, partners and the community to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities. The Strategy was owned by the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) as the local statutory group responsible for strategic direction, oversight and assurance on improving health, wellbeing and health inequalities.

The new draft Strategy focused on supporting local action on the building blocks of health and wellbeing, bringing a greater focus on the socio-economic determinants of health and helping maximise collective resource.

The Strategy had been developed through a collaborative, evidence-based approach to ensure it aligned with local needs and aspirations. The focus had been on strategic alignment, ensuring fit with the Council Plan, Powering our Future and a range of Council and partner strategic documents e.g. the Integrated Care Board (ICB) plan Better Health and Wellbeing for All.

RESOLVED that the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-30 be approved.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

Cabinet is asked to consider and approve the Strategy, to provide clear direction to the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the local health and wellbeing system in improving health and wellbeing and addressing inequalities for the local community.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight Friday 21 February 2025

1.

Title of Item/Report

Annual report of the Independent Safety Advisory Group (ISAG)

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Annual report of the Independent Safety Advisory Group (ISAG).

The Independent Safety Advisory Group (ISAG) brought together a range of professionals to scrutinise and advise upon event safety processes and systems for outdoor events. The ISAG looked at plans for a wide range of events and festivals in Stockton-on-Tees, focusing on events of a significant scale or complexity. All events of scale on Stockton Council land were subject to review by the ISAG, and where requested ISAG would review event safety plans which were hosted on private land.

The ISAG did not take decisions on whether or not an event should go ahead but provided specialist advice and recommendations to landowners, including the Council to enable them to make informed decisions to allow an event or require changes to an event plan. The ISAG provided practical advice and guidance to event organisers and aimed to drive up the quality of event plans/safety planning.

The ISAG’s independent Chair produced an annual report for information, to highlight significant findings and make recommendations for areas of further work.

The full ISAG Annual Report, including an improvement plan, was attached to the report.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The ISAG’s annual report 2024/25 be noted.

2. The resignation of the current ISAG Chair be noted, and the Chair be thanked the Chair for his service. 

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The ISAG Chair’s report is presented to Cabinet to allow then to see the level of scrutiny and challenge being brought to bear in relation to events to ensure the public are properly protected. Cabinet are also able to see and comment upon the areas of further work recommended by the ISAG in relation to safety at public events.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight Friday 24 January 2025