Agenda item

The annual report overview for Education and Skills Service is provided to committee members to review the education performance in Northumberland, as known, in 2019/20; present the work of the central Education and Skills team and review the impact of the work to support continued engagement in education throughout the Covid 19 global pandemic; review the digital annual report attached to this report. The Education and Skills Service leads a number of specialist areas and supports Early Years settings, all key phases of education, virtual school, special educational needs and provides training for young people age 16-19, adults and apprentices across eight campuses in Northumberland as well as training in the workplace and the underpinning infrastructures to support the work through the school organisation and resources and the performance team.

The annual report overview for the Education and Skills Service was provided to Members to review the education performance in Northumberland, as known, in 2019/20; present the work of the central Education and Skills team and review the impact of the work to support continued engagement in education throughout the Covid 19 global pandemic; and review the digital annual report attached to the report.  The Education and Skills Service lead a number of specialist areas and supported Early Years settings, all key phases of education, virtual school, special educational needs; provided training for young people aged 16 – 19, adults and apprentices across eight campuses in Northumberland, as well as training in the workplace and the underpinning infrastructures to support the work through the school organisation and resources and the performance teams.

A comprehensive introduction to the report was provided by A Kingham, Service Director, Education and Skills highlighting that the resilient and determined approach by early years settings, schools, skills and education support services to support children, their families and carers throughout the Covid 19 pandemic had been outstanding and commendable.  The annual report had been enhanced for digital reading with many hyperlinks provided to more detailed reports and information. 

Councillor G Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member reiterated that the year had been a challenge with schools continuing to open through lockdown for all children of key workers and some children with EHCPs with digital learning for other pupils quickly accelerated, and highlighted the results which had continued to improve.

J Sanderson stated that the previous year had shown the value of schools and the Council working together.  Members were advised that there had been a greater interest by Schools in utilising the Local Authority HR team and the good working relationships between the Local Authority and the Trades Union throughout the year was recognised. 

In response to a question in relation to the percentage of adults achieving a Level 2 qualification in English and maths being lower than the national average, it was highlighted that this was an extremely challenging area, working with young people who had been through school and not being able to achieve a ‘C’ or 4/5 grade.  A key priority was to move people into jobs and a new supportive framework had been developed to provide more support for both Post 16 and care leavers.  It was commented that the performance had improved over the previous four years, but there was still more to do to.  Opportunity North East had provided targeted intervention for four schools and this was to be rolled out across the County. There was a need to recognise and re-emphasise the need for practical skills to meet the needs of current and future employers within the County.

It was commented that it was hoped that the Government recognised the vital and intrinsic role the Local Authority played in delivering education for all pupils no matter what school they attended and the impact this could have on the future life of pupils.

The work being undertaken by the Local Authority and the North of Tyne Combined Authority with the School Improvement Strategy across the three Local Authorities was noted and the need to get Education Challenge funding highlighted to continue to drive improvements and reduce the North/South divide.

Members offered their sincere thanks to all those involved in continuing the education and providing help and support to all children and young people in the County during the last year in very difficult circumstances. 

RESOLVED that :

1.    The content of the headline report be noted;

2.    The digital annual report be received and the performance, given the significant challenges of the global pandemic against operating circumstances, and the valuable support provided to all learners by the following be recognised:

·       Early Years Settings and Schools

·       Special Education Needs support and service

·       Virtual School

·       Learning and Skills Service including Careers Guidance Team and Employability and Skills Service

·       School Organisation and Resources

·       Performance monitoring Team

·       Schools Human Resources and Health and Safety team contributions

3.   The key areas for improvement in the Education and Skills priorities which inform how we reviewed, revisit and shape future improvements and work programmes be noted;

4.   The development of a Skills Strategy for Northumberland which supported our schools to build career pathways, develops the skills of our young people and adults to be able to have successful and sustainable jobs underpinning the economic priorities of the County be supported; and

5.   The development of a coherent approach working with businesses, building relationships which benefit industry, skills, schools and our residents be supported.