Agenda item

The Select Committee received progress updates in relation to its previous review of Narrowing the Gap in Educational Attainment.

The review had been carried out using an Appreciative Inquiry Approach. The benefit of the approach had been in the awareness raising of the issues. It had also brought all stakeholders together at events and secured support for agreed objectives and future action.

The Select Committee received progress updates in relation to the following recommendations:

Recommendation 1

Improve attendance

Support schools to improve attendance:

Ø  Encourage school leaders’ use of the Attendance Self Evaluation Toolkit to identify what is working well, and areas which could be developed

Ø  Promote an inclusive and relevant curriculum - where a young person wants to attend

Ø  Work with the Team Around the School Service.

Ø  Ensure that schools are equipped to deal with health issues.

Ø  Identify individual barriers to attendance to better target support and intervention with specific reference to young carers

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

·         A range of actions were being introduced which sought to ensure greater consistency in attendance management practice

·         Attendance was improving across all schools and phases. Further details would be included in the forthcoming Cabinet report on vulnerable groups

·         A strengthened careers offer sought to drive forward aspirations and engagement

Recommendation 2

Forge positive relationships

Ensure that school culture proactively forges positive relationships between pupils, staff and parent/ carers:

Ø  Promote respectful behaviours from all partners including teachers.

Ø  Involve parents in school life.

Ø  Extend opportunities for enhanced transition.

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

·         Recruitment to Transitions Team was now complete and Health and Care Lead had been appointed

·         To support continuous professional development, a training programme and transitions workshops were scheduled

Recommendation 5

Managing emotions

Strengthen environment and opportunities for pupils to manage emotions:

Ø  Engage with the Healthy Schools Programme and Healthy Settings Programme

Ø  Design and delivery of courses to meet pupil need and support parents, with specific reference to:

·         managing behaviour effectively.

·         supporting mental health and wellbeing – especially to de-escalate heightened behaviour or to reduce stress levels.

·         positive parenting skills.

Ø  Strengthen the use of pupil voice to support development of school environments which better support them to manage their emotions.

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

·         A school support booklet had been drafted and included with the agenda pack for the meeting

·         Work going forward would examine learning from best practice and support with mental health

Recommendation 14

Review behaviour policies

Review behaviour policies to ensure that they are appropriate and proportionate and that inclusion policies align with behaviour policies:

Ø  What happens when a young person is removed from the classroom. Where do they go? What teaching takes place?

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

·         An extensive audit of every behaviour policy and its impact on pupils had been carried out. The research was generating interest nationally and revealed that certain factors were critical to have in a policy, including clear pupil expectations and support with emotional, social and mental health wellbeing 

·         The outcome of the research had been shared with senior leaders and would be shared with all schools

·         It was acknowledged that practice as well as policy needed to be considered

·         Some schools had higher exclusion rates but there wasn’t a geographical pattern

·         Pupil voice from the Appreciative Inquiry had emphasised the importance of the quality of relationships and the need for pupils to feel respected

AGREED that the updates be noted and assessments of progress be confirmed.