Dartford and Gravesham Governor Briefing Area Education Officer Update 24 September 2015 Ian Watts – Area Education Officer (North Kent)
Discussion Topics • Commissioning Update • SEN Local Offer • Dealing With Complaints • Q&A
Education Commissioning Plan • Work is ongoing to produce the KCP for 2016-20. Publication expected late Autumn 2015. • Previous Plan forecasting accuracy was as follows: – Year R: Dartford 2.6%, Kent overall 1.8% – Year 7: Dartford 3.5%, Kent overall <1% – Year R: Gravesham 0.9%, Kent overall 1.8% – Year 7: Gravesham -2.2%, Kent overall <1% • Target surplus capacity = 5% • Forecasts for Dartford and Gravesham are or will be affected by housing developments which could increase in the longer term. Dartford is the area of real pressure currently.
Housing • Through the introduction of significant changes in national planning policies, particularly the National Planning Policy Framework, the level of planned housing across Kent is to increase significantly. • Dartford’s Core Strategy already sets out a commitment to provide 17,300 primarily places due to the Ebbsfleet Valley developments including the new Garden City. • A significant number of Windfall sites are also starting to impact on pupil place planning in the area.
Housing • The Gravesham District Core Strategy records significant housing development (up to 6,100 new homes) across the district. • This strategy focuses on six potential development zones. • The first tier zone is the urban area of Gravesend & Northfleet. • Some of this development will be under the auspices of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation. • Due to the significant number of units still to be provided, the LA is currently waiting to see where the next tier will be located. Likely to be the East of the District.
Developer Contributions Dartford • Since the adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) by DBC in 2014, KCC will be restricted in securing s106 agreements from housing developments to contribute to the expansion of schools to accommodate growth. • In most instances the County Council will now be required to make its case for a share of CIL monies collected by the District. However, Dartford have left the option open to negotiate S106 on new major developments if deemed appropriate. • Significant call on the CIL monies collected by DBC with any provider of infrastructure entitled to bid, including Highways, Environment Agency, Health, Police and Education.
Developer Contributions Gravesham • Like most districts in Kent Gravesham are yet to adopt CIL. • Therefore, should further new developments be introduced, the LA still has the ability to negotiate land transfers and building cost contribution direct from the developer. • Limited agreements in place currently due to low levels of new development but this is gradually increasing due to plans to provide housing on Northfleet Embankment and Coldharbour plus the continued development of Springhead Park.
School Commissioning: Mainstream Dartford Primary – Due to growth of the indigenous population in Dartford projections indicate the need for 5 additional forms of entry for September 2016. – Projected numbers remain at a similar level for the medium term, but further expansions may be necessary if migration levels continue at current levels. – Forecasts do not include new housing developments and within the next 15 years 7 new primary schools will be required to meet the additional demand .
School Commissioning: Mainstream Dartford Secondary – Up to 4FE required in Dartford for 2016/17 – This increases to 16FE by 2023/24 as the increases in Primary numbers from recent years impact on Secondary provision – The forecasts do not take major housing developments into account and so there are plans to provide an 8FE Secondary School on Eastern Quarry to meet the additional demand
School Commissioning: Mainstream Gravesham Primary – Due to growth of the indigenous population in Gravesham projections indicate the need for 9 additional forms of entry for September 2016. – Projected numbers remain at a similar level for the medium term, but further expansions may be necessary if migration levels continue at current levels. – The forecasts do not include new housing developments.
School Commissioning: Mainstream Gravesham Secondary – Up to 2FE required in Gravesham for 2016/17. – This increases to 16FE by 2023/24 as the increases in Primary numbers from recent years impact on Secondary provision. – The forecasts do not take major housing developments into account and so there may be the need for additional provision if housing development numbers increase in the near future.
Local Offer • Background: – Children and Families Act 2014: Information and Advice Regulations – How we support children and families with SEND • Requirements: – LA and schools have duty to publish what is offered or available locally (Note: Schools are not required to produce their own Local Offer) – Co-production / engagement / participation – Evaluate and update annually (see over)
Local Offer: Annual Review • Evaluation • Set out “How we will evaluate” • Review/Update • Improvements from previous year - must be based upon participation and engagement. • Important: Ofsted will expect to see the evaluation and improvements made.
Local Offer: Policies and Guidance • Policies: – KCC’s SEND Strategy – Schools’ SEND Policy (template ) • Guidance: – KELSI.org.uk, navigate to SEN section – http://www.kelsi.org.uk/inclusion-and-special-education- needs/special-educational-needs/sen-forms • Mainstream Core Standards (KELSI) – Expectations of all schools – Audit tool available
Complaints: Policies • Schools are required by law to have an agreed complaints procedure – Maintained Schools are required by section 29 of the Education Act 2002 to establish a complaints procedure and to publicise this, having regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State. – Academies are required by the Independent School Standards 2014 (updated in January 2015) to have a publicised complaints procedure with clear timescales and an informal stage that is available to parents. One member of any review panel must be independent from the school.
Complaints: Policies • Complaints Policy/Procedure – Ensure all staff are aware of the processes to be followed – The policy should be reviewed regularly – Ensure time limits for each stage are realistic but also flexible – Out of the remit of a GB’s complaints procedure: • disciplinary • grievances – Be mindful of wording - words such as “must” or “will” commit the GB to carrying out an action “may” or “should” allow flexibility
Complaints: Policies • Other policies that compliment a complaints procedure: – Behaviour/Code of Conduct – Safeguarding – CP – SEN&D – E-safety/Social Media – Health and Safety – Data protection/confidentiality • Vexatious/Persistent/Harassing – complaint, not the complainant
Complaints: Roles and Responsibilities • Headteacher • Governors – Training need?, ‘tainting’, sufficient Governors? • SoS/DfE – Compliance: Legislation and policy • Ofsted – L&M, safeguarding? • LA??? • Members
Complaints: Investigations • In line with policy • Independence required? • Ensure complaint understood – agree KLEs – define desired outcomes (in scope of policy) • Supporting info – specific, substantiated, evidenced • Interviews – accompanied by friend, not professional • Report/Response – process, findings, outcome of each KLE, actions/recommendations, next stage
Complaints: Guidance and Support • Earlier the better! • Lead Professional & LADO • Governors • LA – AEO, SIA, Governor Support, SPS, Legal (£) • School type specific – Diocese, Trust • Professional Association • Peer support • ‘Independent’ professionals
Complaints: Key Points • Stick to policy (and the law!) • Read DfE Complaints Toolkit 2014 – panel hearings • Seek professional advice ASAP • Defend school and staff robustly, but… • …Acknowledge any failures • …Be open to changes or apologies • Maintain professionalism • Be prepared for the time commitment • Support staff • Remember every process has an end!
Q & A • Input from colleagues… • Questions?
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