Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Overview and Scrutiny Ofsted Subgroup - Tuesday, 12th March, 2019 10.00 am

Venue: Council Antechamber, Level 2, Town Hall Extension. View directions

Contact: Rachel McKeon 

Items
No. Item

5.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 282 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2019.

Minutes:

Decision

 

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2019.

 

6.

Ofsted Inspections of Manchester Schools pdf icon PDF 162 KB

To receive a list of all Manchester schools which have been inspected

since the last meeting and the judgements awarded.

 

To consider inspection reports for a selection of the schools.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Senior School Quality Assurance Officer introduced the report that had been submitted for information that provided an overview of the Ofsted inspections of schools undertaken in the period September 2018 to 4 March 2019, noting that 14 had taken place in Primary Schools and 4 in High Schools.

 

Members welcomed the data provided that demonstrated that: -

 

  • 83.9% of pupils in Manchester attended a primary or secondary school that was judged to be good or better by Ofsted. (Nationally this was 83.2%, and in the north-west 81.3%);

 

  • 90.9% of pupils in Manchester attended a primary school that was judged to be good or better by Ofsted. (Nationally this was 86.4%, and in the north-west 88.8%);

 

  • 71% of pupils in Manchester attended a secondary school that was judged to be good or better by Ofsted. (Nationally this was 78.5%, and in the NW 69.6%);

 

  • 87.5% of schools in Manchester were judged to be good or better. (Nationally this was 84.9% and in the north-west 85.7%);

 

  • 91.7% of primary schools in Manchester were judged to be good or better. (Nationally this was 86.8% and in the north-west 89.2%); and

 

  • 66.7% of schools in Manchester were judged to be good or better. (Nationally this was 75.3% and in the north-west 66.5%).

 

The Subgroup then considered the recent Ofsted special measures monitoring inspection letter for Grange School that confirmed that effective action was being taken towards the removal of special measures. The Senior School Quality Assurance Officer stated that inspectors had acknowledged the improvements that had been achieved with the support of other schools, the support and development of the teaching staff and the introduction of effective systems to record outcomes. 

 

Officers stated that the Improvement Executive Board had been vital in driving the improvements at the site and in the time when the head teacher was absent support had been provided to the school with the consent and support of the Chair of Governors.

 

The Subgroup considered the recent Ofsted inspection report for Loreto High School, which had been judged as “good”. The Senior School Quality Assurance Officer stated that the school had been on a very positive journey, with a strong emphasis on teaching and learning led by the substantive leadership team with the support of the Local Authority. A Member noted that the important role of Governors and improvements in SEND provision had been recognised within the report and recommended that a letter to congratulate the schools should be sent.

 

The Subgroup considered the recent Ofsted special measures monitoring inspection letter for Newall Green High School that confirmed that effective action was being taken towards the removal of special measures. The Senior School Quality Assurance Officer stated that the agreed action plan to address the issues previously identified had been endorsed and the Academy Trust would be responsible for progressing this work. He reassured the group that the Leadership Team and the Trust were committed to delivering the required improvements. In response to a question from a Member, he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Schools Judged "Requires Improvement" pdf icon PDF 113 KB

To receive a document summarising the schools which are currently judged as “requires improvement” and progress being made to secure improvements. 

Minutes:

The Subgroup considered information that had been provided on those schools that were judged as ‘requires improvement’. Officers referred to each school identified as expecting a re-inspection imminently and described the steps taken at each site to address the issues identified during the previous inspection.

 

Officers stated that they anticipated that the Barlow RC High School and Specialist Science College would achieve a positive outcome from any future inspection; Chapel Street Primary School had undergone a rapid improvement journey, noting that the school population had dramatically increased in size in recent years; Manchester Academy was part of a larger Trust and was being supported by a school located in Stockport;  and Manchester Communication Academy had a good relationship with the Local Authority, progress was being delivered at the school, especially in relation to disadvantaged pupils and officers were confident that the improvements would be recognised in any future inspection. In addition, Officers reported that the Manchester Communication Academy had developed very good relationships and engagement with the local community and neighbouring schools.

 

In response to a question from the Chair, Officers stated that if a school were to receive a fourth ‘requires improvement’ rating following an inspection, this would be very unusual and would result in national scrutiny.

 

Decision

 

To note the report.

8.

Daycare Providers pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To receive a summary of Ofsted inspection information for daycare providers. 

 

To consider inspection reports and performance information for a selection of daycare providers.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Senior Quality Assurance Officer (Early Years) introduced the report that had been submitted for information that provided an overview of the inspections of early years’ provision.

 

Members welcomed the data provided that demonstrated that: -

 

  • 98% of group childcare that had been inspected was ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’;

 

  • 85% of childminders that had been inspected were ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’;

 

  • Compared to August 2018 the number of outstanding Early Years Registered provision had increased by 3%; and

 

  • Compared to August 2018 the percentage of ‘good or above’ Ofsted grades had increased by 3%.

 

The Subgroup considered the recent Ofsted inspection report for The Chatterbox Project, which had been judged as “requires improvement”. The Senior Quality Assurance Officer (Early Years) advised that this was a community group offer and the provision was working closely with the Quality Assurance Team to address the issues identified and they were confident that a ‘good’ rating would be achieved. Members noted that the report highlighted that the children attending this provision were happy.

 

The Subgroup considered the recent Ofsted inspection report for Trinity House Community Resource Centre, which had been judged as “good”. The Senior Quality Assurance Officer (Early Years) stated that this was a community group provision and was a very positive report and that the site had the potential to be rated as ‘outstanding’.

 

The Subgroup considered the recent Ofsted inspection report for Rupert’s Day Nursery, which had been judged as ‘outstanding’. The Senior Quality Assurance Officer (Early Years) stated that this was the provider’s first inspection and was a very strong and positive report. Members welcomed the report and recommended that a letter be sent to congratulate them on their ‘outstanding’ rating.

 

Members commented that 98% of group childcare that has been inspected was rated as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ and this was to be welcomed, noting the important work and support that the Quality Assurance Team offered to providers across the city.

 

In response to a question from the Chair, the Senior Quality Assurance Officer (Early Years) reported that systems were now in place to support early years providers. This included monitoring and early intervention, prioritising support and forums for providers to network and share good practice. In addition, early engagement with prospective providers was undertaken to provide advice and manage their expectations. Members welcomed this and supported this approach.

 

The Executive Member for Children’s Services stated that early years providers operated in a very challenging financial climate and that they played a very important role in ensuring children were school ready.

 

Decision

 

To write to Trinity House Community Resource Centre and Rupert’s Day Nursery to congratulate them on their recent Ofsted report.

9.

Terms of Reference and Work Programme pdf icon PDF 212 KB

Report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit

 

To review the Terms of Reference and Work Programme of the Subgroup.

Minutes:

The Subgroup reviewed the terms of reference for the Subgroup and the work programme.  The Chair noted that the Subgroup would be reconstituted in the new municipal year and this would provide an opportunity to review the membership.

 

The Chair stated that a report on Ofsted inspections of childminders would be included for consideration at an appropriate time in the new municipal year.

 

Decisions

 

1. To note that the group would be reconstituted and membership agreed in the new municipal year.

 

2. To recommend that a report on Ofsted inspections of childminders be submitted for consideration at an appropriate time.