Education Challenge Board update from Peter Kent

The Challenge Board had its most recent meeting on the 1st July.

As might be expected, a lot of our discussion focused upon issues facing schools at the moment and how they might be addressed in order to enable fuller opening in September.

We considered a whole range of issues which might appear small in themselves but which had an impact upon the ability of schools to accommodate their full quota of pupils. Examples included cleaning, the structure of buildings, toilets and hand washing facilities. We also discussed the way in which the LA would be able to support schools across all phases through their messaging and through their strategic role working with groups such as transport providers. It was also very encouraging to hear about the constructive and positive dialogue that had been maintained throughout with teacher associations in Warwickshire.

Everyone appreciated the update that we received from our colleagues in Public Health England and the chance to hear about the way in which some of the national issues relating to the pandemic were impacting upon schools in the county. Many of us working in schools now know a lot more about ‘bubbles’ than we ever thought possible and it was very helpful to test out what the concept would mean for individual pupils, classes and year groups.

As might be expected in a semi-rural county, when considering broad strategic issues, quite a lot of our discussion centred upon transport. Areas such as the reduced capacity of both double and single-decker buses were explored as well as the impossibility of altering bus timings because of the long journeys that many of them were completing.

Ways in which schools could be supported when summer examination results were published also occupied part of the meeting. The process of centre assessed grades makes GCSE and A level in 2020 more complex than ever before and we also considered the impact of the autumn round of examinations that have now been put in place. We all agreed that one way in which the LA could support schools during what would be a challenging few weeks would be through their messaging to parents and other groups.

In a packed agenda other items considered included the range of approaches to transition for either Year 6 or Sixth Form, issues arising from risk assessments and support with approaches to blended learning. We also received a very helpful update on Ofsted’s plans for inspection activity over the rest of the calendar year.

The lengthy agenda highlighted to me how hard everyone has been working as a result of the pandemic. I hope that you are able to have a well learned break at some point over the summer and I look forward to updating you further after our next Challenge Board early in the autumn term.

Dr Peter Kent

Chair of the Education Challenge Board and Lawrence Sheriff School Headteacher