Agenda item

To consider a report of the Executive Director Core Services and the Executive Director Children’s Services (Item 5 attached) in respect of supporting the 2020-21 exam cohort.

Members were invited to consider a report of the Executive Director Core Services and the Executive Director Children’s Services, co-produced with Secondary Heads, Barnsley Alliance and Barnsley College around the impact to the 2020/21 exam cohort.  The report sets out how preparations for a change around exams going ahead was planned for and that Members should be assured that the strength of school leadership and the partnership arrangements put in place to minimise disruption for Years 11 and 13 in particular are robust. 

In the ensuing discussion, and in response to detailed questioning and challenge the following matters were highlighted:

Principles and standards with regard to the remote learning offer are agreed by Barnsley Alliance.  There are a number of options regarding the remote learning platform which are agreed individually by MATs or governing bodies linked to their current IT systems and the support they receive.  Schools are also supported to publish their remote learning offer by 26th January on their websites.  The DfE sets out the detail of what should be offered.  Primary schools may need additional support with putting together their offer but this is improving day by day.

Maximum use is made of 'catch up' funding, including one to one work, group work, additional lessons, additional tutors and after school and Saturday sessions organised.  Careers professionals are on hand in school to offer extra careers advice.  There are also much improved resources on school websites. It was pointed out that Barnsley students work best with staff they know and trust rather than using the resources of large national tutoring organisations.  'Live' daily lessons are helping to close any learning gaps.  Youth workers are also helping support young people with advice around healthy eating, sleeping etc. to support schools to do what they do best. 

An advert for the Programme Manager post to co-ordinate and support implementation of the programme is being advertised this week.  Other resources are being redirected to focus on this project (which is time limited) and backfilling any gaps. 

It was reiterated that some students had decided to defer a university place last year because of the disruption.  It is envisaged that there may be more Year 13 students this year who also do this so that they can have the university experience they are dreaming of, both educational and social.  Some students may take this as an opportunity to do voluntary activities to add to their CV.  Indeed, some Year 1 students have been doing tutoring with current students although the current restrictions in place for volunteering in communities make this difficult. 

There are no guidelines as yet regarding centre assessed grades and the appeals process, although it is likely to be an appeal against the process once again rather than the teacher assessment. Use of supply teachers varies from school to school but Horizon and Penistone Grammar school currently do not employ supply teachers, particularly as no visitors are allowed on school sites and it is not appropriate to use staff who are working across a number of schools during the pandemic as this could lead to more positive cases in school.  There have been difficulties but these have been carefully managed through closure of 'bubbles' and other teachers covering online classes.  The situation may be different around primary schools.

RESOLVED thatrepresentatives be thanked for their attendance and contribution.