Page 5 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • October 2001
"We have not got it right and we're sorry," Sue
ABULC)US
Bates, leader, Swindon Borough Council
Devastating report on CAN E
Swindon education authority

Poor relations between senior officers and schools, marked by ^FFERSi
inadequate leadership, confusion, uncertainty and a lack of trust,
underpin a highly critical report of Swindon as an education
authority, by government education inspectors Ofsted, in con-
junction with the Audit Commission, released on 14 September.
As a result, senior officers re- consultation. ..thereby obscuring
main in post, with support from the essential accountabilities.'
staff seconded from Hampshire, Strategy is not communicated ef-
but councillor Chris Eley, cabinet fectively and in key areas such as
member for education, has re- school places, special needs and
signed. provision of behaviour support,
Despite the fact that two thirds Swindon is performing unsatisfac-
of Swindon schools are assessed torily.
by Ofsted as good or very good, in 'All in all the partnership with
stark, savage statements, the re- schools is far from secure.' This
port rips through any pretence that results in high levels of confusion,
Swindon has run education well suspicion and mistrust which con- Our Palm suite was NOW ONLY
since it took over responsibility on sumes headteacher's energies and 3 piece £679
becoming a unitary authority in deflects them from their essential
1997. 'The high task of raising
ambitions and standards in
sense of optimism' schools.
at the time is However, some
marked by the fail- services and indi-
ure'to establish the viduals are well
transparent and regarded, but
effective decision- their effect is di-
making structures luted by the poor
that would enable performance in
them to translate other areas. Func-
high ambitions tions discharged
well include early
into reality.
'Difficult deci- Sue Bates, reading the report years education,
sions have had to financial support
be taken. The reasons for arriving services, the literacy strategy, sup-
at them have not always been clear port to school governors, and sup-
to schools. This, together with the port to raise attainment of chil-
frequent failure to use funding to dren in public care.
best effect, has engendered a cli- The council has until 22 Decem-
mate of mistrust. Schools do not ber to produce an action plan in
believe that consultation influences response to the 46 recommenda-
decision making. Their trust in tions in the report, which satisfies
elected members has been dam- the Department for Education and
aged, perhaps more than is en- Skills. If not, it could lose its educa-
tirely warranted, by the belief that tion function.
members interfere too much and Council leader Sue Bates said
that officers lack the ability to pro- that the report had been accepted
tect the interests of education.' in full by the council and that mem- SOLID CANE
In relation to education, particu- bers, officers and headteachers All our furniture is made from solid, carefully
larly schools, the report goes on to were committed to working to- seasoned cane, selected to give the best finish.
state that 'the council has not been gether to rebuild the education We always endeavour to use renewable sources.
well served by its senior officers.' service. "The council must not hide All fabrics and upholstery conform to British
'Strategic management and plan- from the issues identified; we have Safety Standards.
ning are poor or very poor in most not got it right, we're sorry."
areas.' 'Plans, notably for school But whilst recognising the struc-
places, asset management, special tural and organisational failures,
educational needs, behaviour, the she pointed out that Swindon edu- Pi ne &.Cane
recruitment and retention of teach- cation is the lowest funded uni-
ers and information and commu- tary education authority, receiv-
nication technology attempt to ing £6.5 million less than others of _^7num High St 34 WOOD ST.
e^^
comply with national require- comparable size. This has pro- Pine &Cane y `^1Of^8 EJA OLD TOWN,
ments but they are often over-bu- found and negative effects on the 0 SWINDON
- A.rs
n
reaucratic and impracticable.' 'The delivery of the service. Devizes Road centre Tel: (01793) 535320
plans do not provide schools with Peter Wells, chair of the Swin- Victoria Rd Wroaghtofl
a coherent way forward.' don Association of Secondary a pad EASY OPEN : Monday to Saturday
The report says the LEA 'does Heads, said the report contents, Museum I PARKING 9.00am till 5.30pm.
not effectively support school im- though shocking and deeply dis- in Old Town Sunday : 10.30 am till 4.30pm.
provement. Rather it impedes itby tressing, were not a surprise.
engaging schools in lengthy Continued page 6