Decision details

This report is a change to a previous decision taken on 27/11/2017 that agreed the transfer of the Governor Improvement Service and E-Learning Service to Learn Sheffield.

This report recommends

(i)         that the Governors Improvement Service transfers to Learn Sheffield from 1st April 2018 as previously agreed

(ii)        that the transfer of the E-Learning Service to Learn Sheffield is deferred to allow further investigation and discussion to take place

That the Leader of the Council:

1.    notes that the transfer of two educational services, namely Governance Improvement and E-Learning, is now unlikely to be able to take place at the same time prior to 1^st April, 2018; and

2.    approves to transfer in stages as follows

a.    transfer of Governance Improvement Service on or after 1^st April, 2018; and   

b.    transfer of E-Learning Service to be deferred to allow further investigation and discussion to take place.

Solely transferring the Governance Improvement Service to Learn Sheffield from 1^st April will:

-       allow Learn Sheffield to begin shaping and developing the service going forward

-       build a customer base with schools

-       simplify the marketing of the service rather than transferring the service at some time during the school year of 2018/19. A lack of clarity around the organisation offering the service could see a decline in customers

The Governance Improvement Service supports the ethos of School Improvement and therefore sits better with Learn Sheffield.

Members of staff working in the service have already be subject to delays in the transfer process. In the interests of staff morale it is important to support them in transitioning from 1^st April. Confidence and willingness to engage in the process may be compromised if the delay extends beyond April.

Maintained schools / academies have been made aware of the possible transfer of the Governance Improvement Service with effect in April.

The alternative option to the proposal above that have been considered is:

To delay the transfer of Governance Improvement Service until such a time that the E-Learning Service is in a position to transfer  – This option is not recommended as there is no timescale currently for the transfer of E-Learning Service and therefore this could cause considerable delays.