A presentation by Jo Broadhead, Headteacher at the Wren School.

Jo Broadhead, Head Teacher at the Wren School and Andy Johnson, Head Teacher at Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, gave a presentation on behalf of Reading Secondary and College Leaders (RSCL).

Jo and Andy presented feedback and concerns that had been raised by RSCL in the following areas:

·         Leadership and Management – concern at the high turnover of senior leadership and personnel and lack of clarity as to the vision for education in Reading, the consequences of this for schoolscould include a lack of consistency and shared understanding and ‘initiative overload’;

·         Communication - there was a need for the Education service to maintain and update distribution lists, and be consistent in information sharing, so that all schools were aware of strategies, initiatives,  support, training;

·         Staffing - recruitment and retention were a concern for all schools with issues including the cost of living and staff wellbeing, it was suggested that the Council could provide support through Recruitment fairs, subsidised transport and gym membership, and by lobbying for Reading to be included within outer London allowance;

·          Children’s Social Care – concerns included the rate of progress since the Ofsted finding of inadequate, training needs for school staff, and changes to the LSCB structure;

·         Special Educational Needs and Disability provision - tension between cost of out of borough provision and the increasing number of students with high needs in mainstream;

·         Young People and Crime – concern at reduction in youth services, positive feedback on information sharing;

·         Mental Health – positive feedback on work in schools;

·         School Admissions And Transfers – positive feedback on managed moves and respite.

The Committee discussed the presentation, and noted the work being done by the Council and Brighter Futures for Children to address some of the issues identified by RSCL.  It was agreed to continue monitoring these areas of concern.

Resolved –

(1)     That Jo Broadhead and Andy Johnson be thanked for their presentation;

(2)     That the Committee continue to monitor the areas of concern raised by RSCL.