Agenda item

Estyn Inspection Report - St Peters RC Primary School

To carry out performance review and monitoring scrutiny of the recommendations and comments set out in the inspection report.

Minutes:

Patrica Arlotte re-declared a prejudicial interest in this item and left the meeting.

 

The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment & Skills) Nick Batchelar, (Director of Education and Lifelong Learning), and Catherine Rowlands (Senior Challenge Advisers) to the meeting.

 

The Director advised that he has made use of his powers as a result of the school be placed into special measures. Consideration has been given to what measures would assist the school to get back on to a secure footing as possible.  The Governing Body and the Diocese have been consulted as it is a voluntary aided school; the delegation will be withdrawn; the school will be required to partner with Whitchurch Primary which is a school well placed to offer advice on aspects which have not been improved on over the years; and 3 new Governors will be appointed.  Members noted that the Governing Body and the Diocese have agreed.  

 

The Committee were invited to comment, seek clarification or raise questions on the information received. Those discussions were summarised as follows:

 

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Members were advised by CR that it is the responsibility of the School to draw up an action plan to address the recommendations contained in the report.  It is necessary for there to be robust monitoring of the that plan.  There is also a Governing Improvement Group and the Challenge Advisor will attend the school 6 times a year to evaluate the monitoring.  It is also important that there is good communication with the parents.

 
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The Chair, on behalf of a Member of the public, sought information as to why, bearing in the failure by the school too act on the recommendations made in the reports, the current Headteacher is allowed to stay.  The Director advised that it is the role of the Governing Body to hold the Headteacher to account.  What has been done now is to put in a measure of assurance to ensure that the Governing Body do carry out their support and challenge role and hold the leadership to account.   The purpose of actions is to put in place degree of security of parents.  The Director believes that the parents have been involved that the School is in special measures, the Estyn Report was published on 10 December and the press have reported it. 

 

AGREED –  To note the report and that the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations discussed during the Way Forward.

Supporting documents: