Following the covid pandemic and the expiry of the County Council’s School Effectiveness Strategy 2018-22, it is appropriate that the County Council reassesses its priorities for education and learning and to reflect a renewed plan to tackle some of the challenges that have arisen as a consequence of the last three years’ disruption. The opportunity to reassess priorities and to identify a course of actions in education and learning also builds upon a redesign of the County Council services supporting education, along with major national education policy developments.
A consultation and engagement process took place across the spring and summer 2022 to identify and test out key themes and priorities for educational and learning provision with a range of stakeholders to assist in developing the strategy. The process also enabled some major policy initiatives announced by the Government in April 2022 to be incorporated into the draft strategy, although subsequent government communications have indicated that some of these will not be proceeding.
Feedback from the engagement process was reviewed and was subject to scrutiny by the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee (CYPSSC) in the summer of 2022. A Task and Finish Group of CYPSSC members undertook a review of the draft Strategy during the autumn 2022 and made recommendations which have been considered and incorporated into the final version of the Education and Learning Strategy as set out in section 4.
The Strategy identifies seven Key Themes as priorities, two of which are outcome focused and five of which are linked to provision. These Key Themes are supported by specific workstreams, which aim to contribute to achieving the goals and ambitions within the Strategy. The Key Theme of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion remains at the heart of the Strategy, ensuring that the key principles and actions identified in the County Council’s SEND & Inclusion Strategy 2019-24 which is still current, are embedded within this broader Education and Learning Strategy.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than 1 division;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/11/2022
Decision due: April 2023 by Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills (Cllr Nigel Jupp)
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills (Cllr Nigel Jupp)
Contact: Derry Richardson, Head of Service - Education Communication and Enterprise Email: derry.richardson@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033022 27652.
Consultation process
Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the decision maker via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.
Consultees
Schools
Parents
Church of England and Catholic Dioceses
Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee (CYPSSC) Task and Finish Group - 6th October 2022.
CYPSSC meeting – 18 January 2023
Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel: 033 022 22553