Issue - meetings

(a)       That the report and attached terms of reference be noted;

(b)       That the Chairman, Mr. D. Hytch. Councillors C.A. Thomas, N.M. Matthews and P.R. Lightfoot become members of the School Performance Monitoring Group; and

(c)        That a specific training session on performance information be provided to Members in the Autumn. 

The Director of Lifelong Learning introduced a report to seek views on the creation of a renewed group to monitor and support the improvement of school standards in Flintshire. 

The Director advised that attached to the report was a draft ‘terms of reference’ for a working group of the Lifelong Learning Overview & Scrutiny Committee to monitor school improvement work with individual schools.  The monitoring of overall school improvement performance and strategies would remain with the full Lifelong Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair suggested that a small ‘working group’ of members be formed to establish a School Performance Monitoring Group and asked for volunteers.  Mr. D. Hytch volunteered to serve on the Group along with Councillors C.A. Thomas, N.M. Matthews, P.R. Lightfoot and the Chairman.

During discussion the Cabinet Member for Education and Director responded to the queries raised concerning monitoring and school performance.  The Chair suggested that an additional bullet point be added to the draft terms of reference for the Group to include school leadership and performance.

Councillor N.M Matthews raised the subject of mandatory training for school governors and commented on the role and responsibilities of governing bodies.  In his response the Director advised that a specific training session on performance information, similar to that offered to Governors, could be provided to Members in the Autumn if they wanted. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report and attached terms of reference be noted;

(b)       That the Chairman, Mr. D. Hytch. Councillors C.A. Thomas, N.M. Matthews and P.R. Lightfoot become members of the School Performance Monitoring Group; and

(c)        That a specific training session on performance information be provided to Members in the Autumn.