Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Michelle Chilcott- Academy Representative, Sue Jiggens- Primary Governor Representative, John Hamp-  Special School Academy Representative and John Hawkins- School Teacher Representative.

Members George Croxford—WASSH Representative and Jill Hughes- Primary Parent Governor representative,  were welcomed to Schools Forum.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9 March 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9 March 2017 were considered.

Resolved:

Minutes signed as a true and accurate record.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman informed the Members that this meeting was Martin Watson’s last School Forum’s meeting as WASSH representative. He was also thanked for his contribution as Vice-Chairman over the years.

To receive a verbal update on the Trust Board from Susan Tanner- Associate Director of Commission Perform School Effectiveness and Head of Commissioning and Joint Planning.

A verbal update was received from Susan Tanner- Head of Commissioning and Joint Planning who explained that an update report would be circulated, as attached, in the minutes.

Update report from South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) – Ian Withers (SWAP).

This agenda Item was moved forward in the agenda with agreement of the Forum.

A presentation was delivered by Ian Withers- Associate Director of South West Audit Partnership, who summarised the report submitted with the agenda, which detailed audit work carried out by SWAP for 2016/17 in relation to maintained schools in Wiltshire.

It was explained that the 11 Primary Schools selected for audit were chosen using a risk based approach that included a number of factors, such as perceived control environment operating at the school, when last audited/outcome, materiality including expenditure and any management concerns.

Some of the key findings of the audit were highlighted, as detailed in the report and following a number of questions it was confirmed that risks within schools were not disproportionate to other areas of the LA.  It was further confirmed that no frauds had been reported to or detected by the Internal Audit team.

A discussion was also raised regarding the use of the Education Funding Agency - Standard Assessment Form, (Schools Financial Value Standard) for self audit and it was agreed that a copy of the Assessment Form, would be included in the minutes.

Resolved:

To note the update report.

A report, to be presented by Liz Williams- Head of Finance, to outline the financial outturn for Dedicated School Grants budgets in 2016-17 and the impact on the Dedicated School Grants reserve.

Liz Williams- Head of Finance, introduced the report which detailed the financial outturn for Dedicated School Grants (DSG) budgets in 2016-17.

The main points of the report were summarised, as listed in the report and

attention was drawn towards the actions taken as a result of the March 2016

Schools Forum. Namely, in High Needs Budgets (0-25 SEND Service); a

reduction in top up values, with projected savings of £0.9 million; reduction in

unit costs for independent providers, with reduction in post 16 costs; also, a

£0.203m recoupment of top up payments where high needs places were unfilled.

Questions were asked surrounding the increase of Named Pupil Allowance and it was confirmed that this was due to increased demand.

Resolved:

To note the outturn position for the Dedicated Schools Budget in

2016-17.

To receive minutes, reports and/or verbal updates from the following working groups:

·        Early Years Reference Group

·        Joint Meeting of School Funding Working Group and SEN Working Group

Resolved:

To note the Working Group update reports.

A report, presented by Susan Tanner- Associate Director of Commission Perform School Effectiveness and Head of Commissioning and Joint Planning, to provide revised guidance for Enhanced Learning Provision (ELP) in secondary schools.

Susan Tanner- Head of Commissioning introduced the report.

Particular attention was drawn towards the rising numbers of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP), as shown in the report, along with the Low levels of progress and attainment amongst children and Young people with SEND.

The 3 stage approach of the ELP review was explained, as per the report, and the Forum were advised that the Guidance would be going for a wide consultation.

It was clarified that the proposed guidance would be implemented in September 2018-19. It was also explained that the rational behind incorporating the ELP guidance within the SEN guidance was that ELP should not be looked at in isolation.

Some concerns were also raised with the recommendations. It was suggested that recommendation ii. be edited, to clarify differentiated curriculum did not necessarily entail physical separation from mainstream classes. It was also requested that the draft guidance would be sent out to Headteachers and SENCO’s to avoid it being missed.

Resolved:

·        To note the contents of the draft guidance, with amendments to recommendation ii.

·        To support the wider consultation.

·        For the guidance to be sent to Headteachers and SENCO’s.

A report, from Susan Tanner- Associate Director of Commission Perform School Effectiveness and Head of Commissioning and Joint Planning, to update on the development of SEMH Centres of Excellence, as agreed at the March 2017 Schools Forum meeting.

Susan Tanner- Head of Commissioning introduced the report.

Details were given on the progress of the creation of a specialist resource base provision (in-reach and out-reach) for SEMH KS1 &KS2- £600k. Namely, that  five expressions of interest were received, three from West, two from East Wiltshire Schools.

The key proposals of the Schools Forum Working Group, as listed in the report, were also discussed and approved by the Forum.

Resolved:

To note the update report and give approval to the key proposals.

The confirm the date of the next meeting as Thursday 5 October 2017.

Resolved:

The date of the next meeting was agreed as Thursday 5 October 2017.