Agenda item

8.1

David Molloy, Scrutiny Policy Officer, provided Members with a detailed overview of several key policy updates, including;

·     Repeal of the duty on OFSTED to conduct an annual Children’s Services Assessment of each local authority in England;

·     Record numbers of men teaching in primary schools – but more still needed;

·     Prime Minister: More new Free Schools than ever before to raise standards and increase choice;

·     Views sought on which two-year olds should get free early education;

·     £10 million literacy catch-up programme for disadvantaged pupils; and

·     Return of the Office of Children’s Commissioner

8.2

He also referred to a recent Motion agreed by Council that a Joint Committee would be arranged between this Committee and the Economic and Environmental Wellbeing Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee to examine the University Technical College and what support could be provided to the College. Provisional dates for this meeting had been agreed by the Chairs of the Committees and these would be circulated for Members who wished to take part.

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the contents of the report now submitted, together with the information now reported.