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Meeting Details

Meeting Summary
Education and Children's Services Policy Board
22 Aug 2019 - 13:00 to 14:00
Occurred
Council Chambers (Renfrewshire)
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  • Documents
  • Attendance
  • Visitors
  • Declarations of Interests

Documents

Agenda

Agenda
Standard Items
Further Information

This is a meeting which is open to members of the public. 

A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx

For further information, please either email
democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk or telephone 0141 618 7112.

Members of the Press and Public
Members of the press and public wishing to attend the meeting should report to the customer service centre where they will be met and directed to the meeting.
Chair
Councillor Paterson, Convener, presided.
In Attendance
S Quinn, Director of Children’s Services; J Trainer, Head of Childcare & Criminal Justice, L McAllister, Acting Head of Early Years & Broad General Education and G McKinlay, Head of Schools (all Children’s Services); and G McLachlan, Senior Finance Manager, D Low, Democratic Services Manager and T Slater, Senior Committee Services Officer (all Finance & Resources).
Inspection of Todholm Primary School and Early Learning Childcare Class
6
There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the inspection of Todholm Primary School and Early Leaning Centre Childcare Class by Education Scotland.

The report intimated that the purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the quality of education, focussing on four quality indicators: leadership of change; learning, teaching and assessment; raising attainment and achievement; and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.  In the nursery class, the focus was on leadership of change; learning, teaching and assessment; securing children’s progress; and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.

The outcome of the inspection had been extremely positive, with an evaluation of ‘excellent’ for leadership of change, an evaluation of ‘good’ for learning, teaching and assessment within the nursery class and an evaluation of ‘very good’ for all other quality indicators.

The letter to parents, appended to the report, identified six key strengths and two areas for improvement.  Children’s Services would continue to monitor the improvement in the school and the inspection report would be used by the school and Service to support and develop the quality of educational provision.

DECIDED:  That the key strengths and the areas for improvement in the Education Scotland report on Todholm Primary School and Early Leaning Centre Childcare Class be noted.
Response to Consulation on a Catchment Review Affecting Bishopton Primary School and a New Primary School to be Built at Dargavel Village
8
Under reference to Item 3 of the Minute of the meeting of this Board held on 17 January 2019, there was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the response to the consultation on a catchment review affecting Bishopton Primary School and a new primary school to be built at Dargavel Village.  A copy of the consultation document was attached as Appendix 2 to the report.

The issues raised during the consultation, which was undertaken between 5 February and 26 March 2019, were detailed in Appendix 1 to the report and indicated support for the recommendation to alter the catchment areas to create a natural geographical boundary which would allow all non-denominational pupils the opportunity to attend a local non-denominational school in Dargavel Village.

The response from Education Scotland, who had also been consulted on the proposals in accordance with legislative requirements, was attached as Appendix 6 to the report and was supportive of the educational benefits of the recommendation.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the issues raised during the formal consultation, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted;

(b)  That the comments made by Education Scotland in relation to the educational benefits of the recommendation, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report, be noted;

(c)  That the revised catchment arrangements affecting Bishopton Primary school and a new primary school to be built at Dargavel Village be approved; and

(d)  That the implementation of the catchment changes, following construction of the new school, be approved.
Section 1 Heading
Section 1
Apologies
Apologies from members.

Councillors Kerr and Nicolson and Mr I Keith.
Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare an interest in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest.
There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.
Section 2 Heading
BUDGET MONITORING REPORTS
Section 2
1 Revenue Budget Monitoring Report
Joint report by Director of Finance & Resources and Director of Children's Services.

1
There was submitted a joint Revenue Budget Monitoring report by the Directors of Finance & Resources and Children's Services for the Service to 21 June 2019.

Councillor Paterson proposed that an update report on the Early Years 1140 hours expansion programme be submitted to the next meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board to be held on 31 October 2019.  This was agreed.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b)  That an update report on the Early Years 1140 hours expansion programme be submitted to the next meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board to be held on 31 October 2019.
2 Capital Budget Monitoring Report
Joint report by Director of Finance & Resources and Director of Children's Services.

2
There was submitted a joint Capital Budget Monitoring report by the Directors of Finance & Resources and Children’s Services for the Service to 21 June 2019.

DECIDED:  That the report be noted.
Section 3 Heading
EDUCATION
Section 3
3 Parental Engagement in Family Learning
Report by Director of Children's Services.

3
There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the parental engagement strategy ‘Walking Together with Parents in Renfrewshire’.  A copy of the strategy was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Following the launch, in 2018, of the Scottish Government national action plan ‘Learning together: national action plan on parental involvement, engagement, family learning and learning at home 2018 – 2012’, a working group was convened to refresh the parental engagement strategy in Renfrewshire.  The national action plan, which provided a national vision for parental involvement and engagement from pre-birth to age 18 and took account of national and international evidence base and Scottish education system expertise, provided a national vision while allowing for local and community innovation and flexibility.

Renfrewshire’s refreshed parental engagement strategy, which had been developed taking congnisance of the key messages in the national action plan and findings from a series of consultation activities, had four strategic priorities as outlined in the report,  and set out the Service’s commitment to supporting and encouraging parental involvement in children’s learning across the Council’s learning establishments and at home, and to continue working together to build strong, trusting partnerships.  A ‘plan on a page’, which was attached as Appendix 2, would support the strategy along with a digital resource which would include links to national and local documents and best practice case studies.

DECIDED:  That the report and the parental engagement strategy ‘Walking Together with Parents in Renfrewshire’ be noted.
4 Tackling Bullying in Renfrewshire's Schools
Report by Director of Children's Services.

4
Under reference to Item 9 of the Minute of the meeting of this Board held on 23 August 2018, there was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the recording and monitoring of bullying incidents.

The report advised that, since the 2017/2018 school session, Renfrewshire schools had adopted electronic recording and monitoring of bullying incidents which provided more detailed information than the annual counts previously undertaken. Also, in May 2018, the Scottish Government issued supplementary guidance for schools entitled ‘Recording and Monitoring of Bullying Incidents in Schools’.  This guidance recommended that the recording and monitoring of incidents on the SEEMIS system be included as soon as possible after the incident occurred.

Due to the awareness raising work undertaken and the improved recording process, a rise in the reported number of incidents had been expected.  In 2018/2019, 141 bullying incidents were reported across Renfrewshire schools, including three which were unfounded.  Most incidents involved name-calling and teasing.  The number of cyber-bullying incidents reported remained low at seven during 2018/2019, compared to six during 2016/2017.

The report confirmed that Children’s Services would continue to monitor bullying statistics.

DECIDED:  That the report be noted.
5 Amendment to School Holiday Arrangements School Session 2019/2020
Report by Director of Children's Services.

5
There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to proposals to amend school holiday arrangements for school session 2019/2020.

The report advised that, on 25 April 2019, the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) agreed a three-year pay deal for teachers.  As part of the package of wider measures, it was agreed that two additional in-service days should be made available within the academic year 2019/2020 to support professional learning.  Following a consultation exercise, the additional in-service days were identified as Wednesday, 12 February 2020 and Thursday, 30 April 2020.

Subsequently, the UK Government announced that the May Day 2020 public holiday should be changed from Monday, 4 May 2020 to Friday, 8 May 2020 to support VE Day celebrations.  Should the change to the May Day public holiday be approved by the Council, there would be an impact on the April and May 2020 in-service days.

Appendix 1 to the report outlined the proposed school holiday arrangements should the May Day 2020 public holiday remain as Monday, 4 May 2020.  Appendix 2 outlined the proposed school holiday arrangements should the May Day 2020 public holiday be changed to Friday, 8 May 2020.

DECIDED:  That the Director of Children’s Services be authorised to amend the school holiday arrangements for academic year 2019/2020 as outlined at Appendix 1 of the report, should the May Day 2020 public holiday remain as Monday, 4 May 2020, or as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report, should the May Day 2020 public holiday be moved to Friday, 8 May 2020.
6 Todholm Primary School and Early Learning Childcare Class
Report by Director of Children's Services.

7 Proposal to Consult on a Catchment Review Affecting Inchinnan Primary School and Rashielea Primary School
Report by Director of Children's Services.





7
Under reference to Item 3 of the Minute of the meeting of this Board held on 23 May 2019, there was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the proposal to consult on a catchment review affecting Inchinnan and Rashielea Primary Schools.

The report advised that the proposed consultation, which was being requested in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, was required due to the construction of a new housing development within the area.

The ‘procedures for consultation’ and the consultation document entitled ‘The revision of catchment areas affecting Inchinnan and Rashielea Primary Schools’ were attached to the report as appendices 1 and 2, respectively.

Subject to the necessary agreements, it was anticipated that the new catchment arrangements would take effect from April 2020.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the consultation procedures, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved;

(b)  That the consultation document entitled ‘The revision of catchment areas affecting Inchinnan and Rashielea Primary Schools’, attached as Appendix 2 to the report, be approved; and

(c)  That a report on the outcome of the consultation be submitted to the meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board to be held on 12 March 2020.
8 Response to Proposal to Consult on a Catchment Review Affecting Bishopton Primary School and a New Primary School to be Built at Dargavel Village
Report by Director of Children's Services.

Section 4 Heading
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SOCIAL CARE
Section 4
9 Inspection of a Registered Service - Throughcare Housing Support
Report by Director of Children's Services.

9
Under reference to Item 15 of the Minute of the meeting of this Board held on 23 August 2018, there was submitted a report relative to the inspection of the Throughcare Housing Support Service by the Care Inspectorate.

The purpose of the inspection, which took place on 31 May 2019, was to evaluate the quality of care with a specific focus on three quality indicators: care and support; staffing; and management and leadership.  The inspection, which was unannounced, was assessed as ‘good’ for each of the quality indicators.  The Care Inspectorate’s report made 2 recommendations and no requirements.

The report advised that, following an inspection of the service in May 2018, when the service had been graded as ‘weak’ for each of the quality indicators, Children’s Services acted immediately to address the requirements and recommendations made by the Care Inspectorate.  During the recent inspection, the Care Inspectorate found that all requirements had been met within timescale.

DECIDED:  That the outcome of the inspection of the Throughcare Housing Support Service by the Care Inspectorate and improvements in each of the quality indicators, be noted.
10 Inspection of Registered Children's Residential Houses by the Care Inspectorate
Report by Director of Children's Services.

10
There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the inspection of registered children’s residential houses by the Care Inspectorate.

The report advised that the Care Inspectorate used a proportionate risk model of inspection, as outlined in the report, with services assessed on up to four quality themes: quality of care and support; quality of environment; quality of staffing; and quality of management and leadership.  Renfrewshire’s children’s residential houses were assessed against two quality indicators: quality of care and support; and quality of environment.

All five of Renfrewshire’s children’s residential houses were assessed as ‘very good’ for the quality of care and support they provided.  Three were assessed as ‘very good’ for the quality of environment, with the remaining two being assessed as ‘good’.

Two recommendations were made for one of the children’s residential houses and no requirements were made.

DECIDED:  That the strong performance of Renfrewshire Council’s children’s residential houses, with all services graded as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in the areas inspected, be noted.





Section 5 Heading
PERFORMANCE PLANNING
Section 5
11 Children's Services Health, Safety and Well Being Plan 2019-2022
Report by Director of Children's Services.

11
Under reference to Item 18 of the Minute of the meeting of the Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board held on 14 November 2018, there was submitted a report relative to the Children’s Services Health, Safety and Well Being Strategy 2019-2022.

In terms of Council policy, health and safety policies required to be reviewed and updated at least every three years or following significant changes in a Service.  The Children’s Services Strategy had been revised to reflect standard health and safety industry guidance on effective policies which set a clear direction for the Service to follow.

DECIDED:  That the Children’s Services Health and Well Being Strategy 2019-2022 be approved.
Section 6 Heading
Section 6
Section 7 Heading
Section 7
Members Development
All elected members are invited to attend a development session on how the Culture, Heritage & Events Fund (CHEF) supports projects that engage and involve local communities, showcase the area's assets and the talent of its people, which is being held in the Council Chambers at 15:00 hours on 22 August 2019.
Section 8 Heading
Section 8

Supplementary Agenda

Agenda
Standard Items
To Follow Items

I refer to the agenda for the meeting of the Education and Children's Services Policy Board to be held on Thursday, 22 August 2019 at 13:00 hours and enclose the undernoted reports relative to items 7 and 8, as the appendices in the printed version had been inserted incorrectly.

Section 1 Heading
Section 1
7 Proposal to Consult on a Catchment Review Affecting Inchinnan Primary School and Rashielea Primary School
Report by Director of Children's Services.

Section 2 Heading
Section 2
Section 3 Heading
Section 3
Section 4 Heading
Section 4
Section 5 Heading
Section 5
Section 6 Heading
Section 6
Section 7 Heading
Section 7
Section 8 Heading
Section 8

Attendance

Attended - Other Members
Name
No other member attendance information has been recorded for the meeting.
Apologies
NameReason for Sending Apology
Mr Iain Keith 
Councillor Scott Kerr 
Councillor Iain Nicolson 
Absent
NameReason for Absence
No absentee information has been recorded for the meeting.

Declarations of Interests

Member NameItem Ref.DetailsNature of DeclarationAction
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.

Visitors

Visitor Information is not yet available for this meeting