To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies received.  Cllr Coppinger reported he was running late.

To receive any Declarations of Interest.

There were no declarations of interest received. 

To confirm the Part I Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th October 2018.

Resolved unanimously: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2018 be approved.

To receive a report on the above titled item.

The Forum considered the report that detailed attainment levels of the Royal Borough schools for the 2017/18 academic year.  The Chairman informed that the report had also been considered by the Adults, Children and Health O&S Panel.  He informed that for this meeting he had asked officers to focus on the performance levels of disadvantaged pupils and work being undertaken to help improve attainment for them.

Officers informed the Forum that It had not been possible to present the exam results of schools in the Royal Borough until now because validated data was not available until February 2019 at the earliest and there were the local elections.  There was some concern of attainment levels of disadvantaged pupils and work had already started on making improvements.

(Cllr Coppinger joined the meeting)

Attainment levels were lower than the national average even though there was a low number of disadvantaged pupils within Royal Borough schools. Tackling this issue had been a priority. The Forum were informed that this was a sensitive issue as some disadvantaged families in the Royal Borough did not want additional support as it would make any perceived social stigma worse and make their children stand out. It was noted that similar issues existed in the other Berkshire schools.

The early years setting had focused on reception classes with 14 schools taking part in an improvement project.  Schools needed three pupils on pupil premium to take part in the project.  Schools were encouraged to take part as long as they were prepared to ‘buy into’ the work by committing to attend meetings. 

Barriers and what could be done were discussed, they looked at what percentage of children were on track, they undertook walk around schools, implemented action plans, networking and training.  Peer advice had also been undertaken with support from Lewisham.  There had been an Improving Outcomes for all conference held and midyear data submitted by project schools showed the pupil cohort on track had improved from 30% to 50%.   Three schools had received additional support from specialists leads in education, writing sessions for all schools had been provided and officers were revisiting what could be improved following data submissions.

The Chairman asked about best practice and the support from Lewisham and was informed that action planning and the project had been discussed as well as shared documents to help understand schools better.  There was also training delivered and school improvement.  Work was also undertaken in barriers to achievement with the main three being special needs, looked after children and language; not just pupil premium. 

The Chairman also asked about learning walks and was informed that this covered support with a teacher or senior leader to help teaching and CPD, for example this could include putting up examples of good work to help encourage other pupils to try and get better. 

The Forum were informed that there was a small team of advisor who visited schools and an area that they would be targeting was pupil premium.  They were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Members to note the following future meeting dates as follows;

·         24^th October 2019 – Council Chamber, Town Hall, Maidenhead

·         26^th February 2020 –Council Chamber, Town Hall, Maidenhead

Members of the Forum  to provide suggestions of agenda items for consideration at future meetings.

The Chairman reported that Forum members should feel free in contacting him or the clerk if they wish to add items to future agendas.  In response to questions he informed that he would like the forum to focus on disadvantaged pupils and also undertake a scrutiny role.  He proposed writing to the leadership candidates of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats about concerns of attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

Cllr Coppinger mentioned that it was also important to look at how head teachers could bring issues to this Forum. 

To consider passing the following resolution:-

“That under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public

be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place

on item 7 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt

information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12 A of the

Act”.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local

Government Act 1972, the public can be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the act.

Resolved unanimously: that the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2018 be approved.

To note the minutes of the last meeting held on the 18^th October 2018.