The role of the Local Authority in securing quality choices in education Councillor Stephen Castle Cabinet Member for Education

Local Authorities have fewer resources, and reduced powers and duties because: –Austerity cuts will see budgets reduced by 25% over 4 years –Accelerated process of school autonomy through the amended Academies Act and the introduction of Free Schools –School autonomy will limit the ability of Local Authorities to prioritise investment in areas such as SEN, School Improvement, etc. –The James Review proposals alongside reduced capital spending will change the role of the Local Authority The Local Authority

This new landscape provides several new challenges to Local Authorities and the way they are involved in and engaged with Education going forward. The new landscape provides four areas of challenge for the Local Authority: –Securing appropriate Pupil Places –Supporting Academy bids and transitions –‘Powerful Champions of Educational Excellence’ –Strategic Lead, ensuring Knowledge and Skills for the Future

Challenge 1: Securing appropriate Pupil Places Need to maintain the position as champion for children and families and guardian of securing appropriate pupil places with high standards Need to develop a new approach to provision through commissioning the right type and supply of education places at the right time and in the right place Ensure fair access to all schools and Academies and champion parents’ rights

Challenge 2: Supporting Academy bids and transitions Local Authorities can assist in brokering the provision of new Academies and free schools Local Authorities can help governors in ensuring balanced information is available to school governors to aid decisions regarding transition to Academy status They can help shape the market to ensure coherence, choice and diversity of provision, as well as being a provider of last resort Coordinate competing proposals for Academies / free schools / UTCs / studio schools in the interest of fairness and clarity for parents

Challenge 3: ‘Powerful Champions of Educational Excellence’ How do we retain relationships with and intelligence about ALL schools in the changing landscape? We need to redefine high standards beyond the narrow measure of 5+ A*-C grades inc. English and Maths How do we encourage use of the English Baccalaureate? How do we ensure emphasis, where appropriate, on higher academic standards for vocational programmes?

Challenge 4: Strategic Lead, ensuring Knowledge & Skills for the Future How do we advance the employability and skills agenda to ensure education system as a whole –is responsive to the needs of industry? –provides young people with the skills sought after by business? –enables our employees to compete with Europe and the world? How do we ensure provision of vocational skills and apprenticeships to foster economic growth?