To consider the performance monitoring information for the second quarter of 2015/16.

The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing introduced the quarter 2 performance report and congratulated the Academy of Central Bedfordshire and Oakbank on their Ofsted ratings.  Following a system change there had been an improvement in the number of assessments carried out in 45 days.

A Member raised a concern that 18 schools were rated as ‘needing improvement’, which the Assistant Director Education explained was due to changes in wording in the new Ofsted framework. The old ‘satisfactory’ judgment had been replaced by ‘Requiring Improvement.

Members were advised that maintained schools causing concern shared their improvement plans with the local authority and received support with their school improvement planning process.  Academy schools do not receive this level of support from the Regional School Commissioner, who does not have capacity to provide it.  A recruitment drive from the Regional Schools Commissioner to appoint people to support academies was underway.   Where an academy school requests support in school improvement planning from the local authority this support is provided.

Noted the report.