Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Executive Director - Children and Learning, providing an overview of education outcomes at Key Stages 2 and 4 in Southampton in 2023/24 and associated education issues.

Cllr Winning – Cabinet Member for Children and Learning; Rob Henderson – Executive Director, Children’s Services & Learning; Clodagh Freeston – Head of Education Services; Kerica Hunt – Service Manager, Education Welfare Service; Bryn Roberts – Service Manager, Inclusion;  Edd Shackleton – Principal Data Analyst; Zoe Snow – Admissions and School Place Planning Manager and Alison Philpott – Cross Phase Advisor were in attendance and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting. In addition, the Panel watched a video presentation from Harry Kutty – Head Teacher of Cantell School detailing his schools journey to improved performance.

The Panel received briefings that set out the current position of educational attainment in the City and the Authority’s ambitions and accompanying plans to address education outcomes in Southampton. 

The priorities for the education outcomes transformation programme were outlined. The priorities included increasing attainment levels; improving school attendance; and reducing exclusions.

To deliver the objectives the focus was on working with schools to become more collaborative and collective, harnessing a one city approach through an Education Partnership vehicle.

The Panel noted that improving education outcomes in Southampton would take time and it would require persistence, patience and commitment.  Concern was raised that pressures on budgets would deflect from the long term goal of improving the quality of education for all children. 

Panel Members were informed that the capital programme for schools was a cause of friction between the Council and Schools.  Issues relating to a lack of understanding about how capital works get prioritised; a lack of clarity about responsibilities and poor communication about the school capital programme were raised as areas where improvements were required.