Minutes:
Tony Smith explained that, as Slough has a below average percentage of primary schools that have been identified by Ofsted as Good or Outstanding, Cambridge Education is continuing to work to get schools to a stronger place. He indicated that there is a possibility of scrutiny by Ofsted of School Improvement.
The Ofsted Inspection of Slough Children’s Centres in March 2014 was graded Inadequate. Five Ofsted inspectors visited Children’s Centres last week and initial verbal feedback was positive. Whilst there is some distance to travel, significant progress has been made since 2014.The formal report will be available in two to three weeks (now available on the Ofsted website).
School attendance has been very good over the last eighteen months but with a small drop in attendance in the autumn term in both phases and this is currently being reviewed.
A higher number of families have been allocated their first preferences in the recent admissions process for secondary schools: 72%, up from 62% previously.
Transport costs: contractual arrangements are being reviewed, with the Local Authority and Cambridge Education looking at efficiencies.