Agenda and minutes

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Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

There were no apologies.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

 

Minutes:

None were disclosed.

3.

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2020 pdf icon PDF 107 KB

Minutes:

Resolved: The minutes from the meeting held on 14 October 2020 were confirmed as an accurate record.

 

4.

Education in Lancashire - Digital Challenges and Opportunities pdf icon PDF 242 KB

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed the following Headteachers to the meeting; Charlotte Garner, Edenfield CE Primary School; Christopher Holmes, Privat Primary School; Ruth England, Shuttleworth College; and James Kerfoot, Accrington Academy; to the meeting. Also in attendance were Sarah Callaghan, Director of Education and Skills; and Audrey Swann, Headteacher for Vulnerable and Challenging Groups (LCC).

 

The report presented sought to provide members of the Education and Children's Services Scrutiny Committee with information on the digital challenges and opportunities faced by schools in Lancashire as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

 

Each of the headteachers provided members with an overview of their experiences so far of virtual learning.

 

The committee was informed that Accrington Academy had reopened on 23 March 2020 working remotely from home. The speed at which the education profession had reacted was very quick. Engagement with learning was around 75%. For various reasons 25% of pupils did not engage with learning during the school closure. Some pupils were digitally challenged as they did not have laptops or internet connection. When the academy opened in September there were challenges around bubble collapses and teachers who were isolating at home. Staff shortages were also a problem. Laptops had been purchased for vulnerable pupils.

 

Edenfield CE Primary School's pupils had easier access to technology although there had been some issues with learning engagement and supporting families. It had been vital to reduce gaps in learning quickly. Google Classroom had been used in terms of online learning. This had been a new learning process for teachers and the normal curriculum had been delivered to pupils. Credit was given to the families who had supported their children with their learning. Gaps in education had been minimised through March and April. The school had been impacted by bubble closures in September and live teaching was key. There had been positive feedback from parents and the school had not seen any significant gaps in learning.

 

Privat Primary School had problems with laptops at the beginning of lockdown as many of the pupils did not have access to them. The school had put bids in for laptops through the Department for Education (DfE). Some pupils did not have English as a first language. The school made sure it could communicate with families all the time and sent learning packs with resources to the families every fortnight. There were different packs for SEN and ESL (English as Second Language) children. Emails were set up for all staff so parents could contact them. There were family support workers who would contact the vulnerable children every day and they would also conduct home visits where necessary. Any vulnerable child was encouraged to come into school. Communication with parents was key.

 

The issue in the beginning of lockdown for Shuttleworth College was supporting those students who received free school meals. The school ensured free school meal vouchers were issued to its vulnerable children. Resources were delivered to the homes of vulnerable children as well and150 reconditioned laptops were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 22 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented provided information on the single combined work programme drafted for all of the Lancashire County Council scrutiny committees.

 

It was noted that the December meeting of the committee would focus on mental health in children and young people including an update on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Lancashire (CAMHS).

 

There was a request to review the viability of moving away from GCSE exams and SATs in 2021 for secondary and primary school pupils at the next scheduled meeting of the committee.

 

Resolved: That the work plan presented be noted.

 

6.

Urgent Business

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

 

Minutes:

There were no items of Urgent Business.

7.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Education and Children's Services Scrutiny Committee will be held on Wednesday 16 December 2020 at 10.30am.

 

Minutes:

The committee was informed that a 'Go Fund Me' page had been set up on the Intranet for children in care and care leavers. Donations from staff and elected members would be shared out to all care leavers across Lancashire in the way of a voucher or a gift.

 

The next virtual meeting of the Education and Children's Services Scrutiny Committee would take place on Wednesday 16 December 2020 at 10.30am.