Agenda item

NOTE:  At this point the Chair, Councillor Gethin left the meeting and Councillor Gilliver, Vice-Chair assumed the Chair.

The Assistant Director for Education, Skills, Culture and Heritage presented the report outlining developments in Education and Skills during the initial lockdown phase of Covid-19 and the joint effort provided by the Local Authority, schools and partners. 

The Panel noted that during this time Doncaster for the first time was able to publish the complete pathway of transitions online across all provisions, early years into infants, infants into junior, then into secondary and post-16.  The work undertaken on the welfare of children was also highlighted, including welfare calls which could not have been achieved effectively without all partners working together.  Members acknowledged that there had been very innovative practices established during the Covid-19 lockdown period during the spring and summer months.

NOTE:  At this point Councillor Gethin re-joined the meeting and assumed the Chair.

Members highlighted that they appreciated the innovative work, co-ordination and development required to provide a place based education approach between March and July 2020, reopening of schools in September and resetting education priorities.  

The Co-optee representing the Catholic Diocese and on behalf of school headteachers outlined her thanks to the Local Authority for the exceptional support to schools, following the initial National lockdown in March and subsequent work undertaken since. 

The following areas were addressed by the Panel, in detail:

Elective Home Education (EHE) – the Panel learnt that numbers had increased quickly, in line with the national trend, but was pleased to note that engagement with parents was being undertaken to ensure the curriculum requirements and quality of teaching were being addressed.  Concern was highlighted that some children being home educated may be finding it hard to keep up with the curriculum and not receiving support from their school. 

The difference between genuine EHE and the anxiety faced by some parents of children returning to school was accepted, and the work being undertaken by schools and Public Health in promoting schools as a safe place and Covid compliant, was welcomed.  It was acknowledged that it was important to capture parental perceptions in relation to how safety and Covid bubbles were being managed.

Hard to reach families – Members acknowledged the continuing partnership approach being undertaken to address this issue.  With regard to school specific concerns it was explained that the Welfare group was continuing to undertake personal visits and phone calls. 

With regard to areas of significant pockets of EHE children, concern was expressed that in these areas, plugging the knowledge gap would have a significant impact on some schools that may have high numbers, when children started to return to class.  It was stressed that having evidence of this nature could assist schools moving forward, particularly with evidencing attendance figures.  Members noted that this was an area that could be forensically addressed to support the wider welfare provision that may be required, and acknowledged that this would be a unique set of data to collate and use for policy development.  It was stressed that understanding the wider specific needs of some families, through the localities model, was imperative before a support package could be provided to families. 

The Young advisor outlined that young people were finding the lockdown position quite stressful, understanding the position and requirement for Covid bubbles, but their concern was not as high as the concern expressed by their parents and the older population. 

Early years provision – Members’ concern with regard to early years developmental and emotional skills, being a priority particularly for the most vulnerable, were accepted.  The Panel was pleased to note that family hubs had remained open and  strong throughout the Covid pandemic with good attendance being recorded.  The extensive virtual offer and supplementary face to face mother and baby sessions were highlighted as a good example of the continued support available.

With regard to the early years children entering school it was accepted that they need socialisation and the current pandemic had brought this to the fore, so when children were starting school or being reintegrated, emotional skills were a priority.

School attendance – Members were pleased to note that school attendance rates in September matched the national average of 92 - 93%.  Unfortunately in the week prior to half term it was learnt that a number of school Covid bubbles in secondary schools had to isolate but since returning attendance figures had greatly improved. 

With regard to the attendance administration required by schools, it was acknowledged that figures were being reported to the Department of Education dailyalong with reporting Covid cases to the Local Authority.  The Panel paid tribute to all schools for undertaking a phenomenal job throughout the whole Covid period whilst working under such difficult circumstances.

It was also noted that the Local Authority persistent absence strategies established prior to the Covid pandemic, had assisted with the reduction in persistent absence figures, but only due to the hard work being undertaken by colleagues in the school system.

Examinations 2021 and Catch up premium – the Panel heard from a Young Advisor about how young people reacted to studying the curriculum and examinations in the initial lockdown period.  Members also learnt about the hard work and mechanisms put in place by schools and the Local Authority across the Borough to ensure young people continued to achieve their education and examination result goals.  The Panel therefore proposed that the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools lobby the Department of Education on the following areas:-

Possible cancellation of exams in 2021 and cancellation of Primary School assessments - After the announcement by the Welsh Government that examinations for 2021 would be cancelled with results based on classroom assessments, the Panel was of the opinion that the same path could be taken by Central Government for English schools.  Members appreciated the hard work and support that had been provided for young people taking their GCSE’s and ‘A’ levels in 2020 but wished to press the Department for Education for an early decision, if this proposal was being considered.  Additionally it was requested if consideration could also be given to an early decision on whether all primary assessments would be cancelled, as was the case in 2020.

Catch up premium funding (one off 2021 academic year support for pupils to make up for lost teaching time) – clarity was required on whether an extension would be provided to spend this funding allocation.  It was noted that some children were currently not in school, for example, isolating as part of a Covid-19 school bubble or opting for elective home education and were missing out on interventions.  The Panel feared that the Borough’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups would be hardest hit.

NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) – it was acknowledged that there had been a lot of success stories, and noted that this was due to the active engagement with young people, employers and education providers by the Participation and Transition Service.   It was also highlighted that the young people in Doncaster sought opportunities and was encouraging to see.

RESOLVED That: 

1.            The report be noted;  and

2.               The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools be requested to lobby the Department of Education on the following areas for the reasons set out above:-

A)        Possible cancellation of exams in 2021 and cancellation of Primary School assessments;  and

B)      Catch up premiumfunding (one off 2021 academic year support for pupils to make up for lost teaching time).