Agenda item

This report would become a regular item for the Panel; whilst Ofsted inspections were only one element of assessing an area’s educational provision, it was a crucial one. In addition, despite any potential moves towards academisation, local authorities would retain their accountability until legislation repealed that.

Progress within inspected schools had been positive, with the exception of Godolphin Infants. This institution was now part of a multi-academy trust and signs of progress had been seen (although Ofsted had yet to inspect since this possible improvement). The Infants School had previously been in the same multi-academy trust as the Junior School. This has come to an end and the Infant School has now joined Baylis mutli-academy trust. However, the Infants had been given no extra time before becoming subject to the Ofsted regime. Baylis was well aware of the issues and working on them, although the full time Head Teacher position remained vacant.

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  Godolphin Infants had a lead consultant (who was also a specialist in infant education) on site 2 days a week. A School Action Group also held meetings to examine progress, and presented the minutes of their meetings to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate. Staffing remained an issue; there were 12 posts, and 10 of these left in September 2015. Whilst agency staff and newly qualified teachers had replaced them, major changes to the institution’s operation were needed.

·  Additionally, the Baylis Secondary school was attached to Godolphin Infants and rated as outstanding. It provided support to the Infants, but this did not address the need for primary education specialist knowledge.

·  The governors, who had been criticised by Ofsted, were now all attending School Action Group meetings. Governors’ meetings were then convened directly afterwards, in order to ensure that leadership was challenged whilst issues remained current. It was hoped that the benefits of this system would be demonstrable to Ofsted.

·  The ‘Slough community of schools’ was working and helped improve services and standards. This helped local schools face a range of challenges and complex issues.

Resolved: that the update be noted.