Decision - Report of the Secondary School Commission

Alternative options are discussed in the body of the Report. With the reduction of resources made available to local authorities for intervention in schools, the Secretary of State has been clear that he expects schools to take a much greater role in peer to peer support. The role of the Council as described in this paper is to catalyse change and to support schools in working much more closely together and with far greater collective accountability.

2.1       That Cabinet makes clear its aspiration that our secondary schools are to be performing in line with, or better than, the top quartile of similar schools by 2014;

2.2       That schools and the Council commit resources to offer all teachers the opportunities to become outstanding practitioners;

2.3       That the Lead Commissioner for Learning and Partnerships should work with secondary schools, academies and their governing bodies to agree a formal structure that requires secondary schools and academies to work together collaboratively, and to raise outcomes for all pupils at 16 in line with 2.1 and 2.2 above;

2.4       That the widest possible engagement of the communities served by the schools should be engaged in this development; and,

2.5       That this should include annual reports on progress to Cabinet and other key stakeholders.

In spite of the changes in funding, local government remains responsible for intervening in failing schools. Whilst we cannot delegate this responsibility, we can promote closer working between our schools to prevent schools failing. This report provides a clear direction of travel towards a headteacher-led local system of school improvement.

Alternative options are discussed in the body of the Report. With the reduction of resources made available to local authorities for intervention in schools, the Secretary of State has been clear that he expects schools to take a much greater role in peer to peer support. The role of the Council as described in this paper is to catalyse change and to support schools in working much more closely together and with far greater collective accountability.