Agenda and minutes
Venue: Boardroom - Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ
Contact: Anne Reid, Democratic Services Officer 020 8937 1359; Email: anne.reid@brent.gov.uk
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Declarations of personal and prejudicial interests Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant financial or other interest in the items on this agenda. Minutes: Councillor Chan advised that he was a teacher in a Hampstead School and a member of the NUT (National Union of Teachers). Councillor Bradley declared that he was a member of the NUT. |
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Welcome Minutes: The committee welcomed Councillor Chan to his first meeting of the JCC. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes: RESOLVED:-
that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 November 2015 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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Matters arising Minutes: Academies
The Teachers’ Panel requested an update on legal action against some staff at the former Copland Community School to recover monies and it was agreed that information would be circulated in advance of the next meeting.
Academisation
The Teachers’ Panel asked about the Local Authority’s plans to produce information for school governing bodies and parents, setting the council’s position on Academisation. It was noted that a letter from the Leader of the Council and the Lead Member for Children and Young People had been sent to schools under local authority control encouraging them to remain with the council’s family of schools.
The Teachers’ Panel suggested that a document be prepared setting giving examples of how the local authority had been able to support schools.
It was agreed that Teachers’ Panel produce a draft document suggesting items for inclusion in a pack promoting the council services for circulation to governing bodies and parents of schools considering Acadamisation.
Secondary School Places
Cate Duffy (Interim OD Early Help and Education) advised that there was no further update on a site for the proposed Gladstone Free School. |
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Items raised by the Teachers' Panel 1) Matters arising from the minutes 2) Proposed special and secondary free schools 3) Funding in London 4) Class size concerns 5) Asbestos document - Hank Roberts Minutes: (i) Proposed special and secondary free schools
The Teachers’ Panel circulated a joint education unions response on the consultation about setting up a free school dated February 2016 and expressed the view that the local authority should not to accept Free Schools as the only alternative to the shortage of school places but instead should make clear its preference to build new schools. It was noted that some local authorities had expanded existing schools as means of increasing school places and doubt was being expressed by various local authorities over Free Schools as the solution. It was noted that some head teachers in the borough were considering setting up Free Schools. The point was made that several schools were against expansion and additionally, recruitment and retention problems could lead to a shortage of teachers.
Cate Duffy (Interim OD, Early Help and Education) responded that further opportunities for primary school expansion were limited and that the local authority had a legal duty to meet demand for places. The council sought to work with those Free School providers who had a proven track record and plans to provide in good locations.
The committee agreed that it would be more effective for cross council working between like-minded local authorities and teachers panels and also suggested a joint commission on the state of education.
The committee acknowledged that none of the secondary schools in the borough were under local authority control and the council had an obligation to ensure good working relations were maintained.
The committee agreed that consideration be given to a joint commission or joint agreement with other councils to expose implications of central government policy and the Teachers’ Panel agreed to bring to the LA’s attention any links with other schools/teachers’ panels.
(ii) Funding in London
The Teachers’ Panel circulated information on government proposals for a national funding formula and the likelihood of funding cuts that were projected to amount to 9% in Brent. The Teachers’ Panel advised that the National Union of Teachers was starting a campaign in support of London’s Education and would be writing to head teachers and governing bodies. They expressed a wish for joint working with the council and support for a public meeting on the effects of a national formula.
Cate Duffy advised that she was aware of the proposals and a report had been submitted to the Schools Forum. It was likely that London would lose funding and models showed differing outcomes for Brent which was already among the least funded. A way forward would be agreed once the funding formula had been announced
The committee agreed that the council should consider the possibility of promoting and hosting a meeting, in collaboration with other boroughs such as Hammersmith and Fulham and Ealing, against proposed funding changes.
(iii) Class size concerns
The Teachers’ Panel expressed concern over the number of class sizes in excess of 30 and questioned how this was being monitored and how the needs of staff were being met. Cate ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Any Other Urgent Business Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of Executive and Member Services or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 64. Minutes: None. |
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Date of Next Meeting The next scheduled meeting of the Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee is on XXXXXXX. Minutes: The committee agreed to meet on 11 May 2016. |