Further to the unanimous approval to the SEN Reorganisation proposals given by SOC, MC gave thanks to all those involved, particularly Clive Halliwell and Brain Dobson, as secretary to the SOC.  SG, for special school HTs, thanked the team, particularly Phil Green and Clive Halliwell for their support at the SOC meeting on 10 May.

MC – Resulting from the SOC decision:

• The Timeline is an increasingly crucial document and must be kept up-to-date
• Sub-group structure – does the Steering Group need to reconsider this?
• Appointment of Headteacher designates – should they join the Steering Group

1

Minutes of last meeting

These were accepted as a true record.

2

Matters arising

Item 5 – Temple Bank funding – BD corrected the figure previously quoted – this should be £667,000 passed to the “partner schools”.  BD has requested a break-down of how this has been distributed from Education Bradford.  PG suggested that this issue be discussed at Finance Strategy Group and GB and SG will take further at the special schools Finance Group.

3

BSF Update (MJC)

• Ongoing procurement process, detailed bids to be submitted by mid June with Preferred Bidder aimed to be selected by October.
• Notice given to the bidders to ensure capacity to be able to take further the Phase 2 proposals at preferred bidder stage.
• Early work started on practical site terms for co-location schools.  Useful visits made to Grange, Greenhead and Beckfoot Phase 2 school sites. RM picking up responsibility for primary schools/primary special schools.
• Extra £66m announced for Special Schools in Wave 1-3 BSF Authorities.
• Partnerships for Schools (PfS) working with BSF team to develop Phase 2 funding model.
• PfS Chief Executive coming to Bradford next week.
• Attended an Education Building Development Officer Group conference – presentation and workshop by an HT of a West Sussex special school on how the school had developed in design.  BB77 seen by them as a big step forward.

PG – Discussions regarding the Assimilation of HTs going well with Governing Bodies, although one or two posts may need to go to national advert.  If this is the case, negotiations will be required to release staff to work with the rest of the team on school design.  Important that no school is disadvantaged due to the slower appointment of the HT.  CoGs also anxious to be involved with the BSF team.  SG – assuming equity for all schools, will HTs be released from existing posts by January 2006?  GB – expertise could also be called up from Glynne Freeth.  MJC – Glynne Freeth and Allan Jarvis to work closely with the BSF team and Phase 2 schools on output specifications, although further discussion is required on the exact nature of their role.

PG – Increasingly confident that funding will be available from the sale of sites.  MJC – Bid being developed for targeted capital fund with a maximum of £5m.

4

SEN Review and Consultation Update (CH)

• Consultation process ongoing re the closure of the Resourced Nurseries and the opening of the Children’s Centres Plus.
• Deaf Review – closing date 30 June – everything under way for this.  Proposals going to Executive in September.

5

Steering Group Subgroup Updates

Health (SI) – Sharing the outline model of health provision for consistency across the various services with representatives from most PCTs and the Acute Trust, after which the gap between the existing service and the model will be considered.  MC added that a meeting with PCTs was also scheduled for 6 June (contact KB if you wish to attend) and that there is a need to develop the framework by Oct/Nov for it to become part of the PCT’s Local Development Plan.  MC is expecting a big gap between existing services and the model resulting in necessary discussions between the Council and PCTs to agree who will bridge the gap.

Early Years (MM)

• Consultation has begun for the change from Resourced Nurseries to Children’s Centres Plus. 
• RH has attended the Temporary Governing Body meeting of Heaton Primary to look at how EY will configure on the site.

CH added that the timescale on the changes from Resourced Nurseries to CCs+ is different to the special school’s review.  There is a need to report to Executive in September.  PG added that, at present, trying to draw up a map of what everything will look like across the District.  This will be brought to the next meeting.

MC gave reassurance that there will be nursery provision on the special school sites.

Communications (RT) – RT explained that his main mission was to raise awareness and enthuse people for the BSF project.  Strategy developed/working on at present:

• BSF website
• Press/media events
• Draft strategy paper – Agenda item for the next meeting
• Visiting schools – so far been to the NE and Liverpool

CH suggested that a mechanism needs to be found to give greater clarity to teaching staff of key items on the reorganisation time-line.  After discussion, it was agreed that a mini conference for special school staff should be called on the afternoon of Friday, 15 July at a suitable venue such as Valley Parade.  RT to co-ordinate with the help of volunteers in the form of a communications sub-group – volunteers contact RT direct (tel 437777).  VI and Thorn Park staff also to be invited.

HR (MB)

• Work on staffing structures has moved on quickly since the SOC announcement with both the Sub-group and the Trade Unions (OJC). 
• Agreement reached on the principles for assimilation which sets the framework for the staffing of the new schools.  This is posted on the special schools’ website and has also distributed to the HT’s in special schools for distribution to all staff.
• The staffing structures should be well under way to report to staff at the 15 July conference which should help give reassurance to staff.
•  All staff at present being asked to check personal details.
• Proposals shared with Unions and HT colleagues re procedure for assimilation of headteachers in preparation to pass to Temporary Governing Bodies.  Hoping to conclude this assimilation process by 20 June.

There was debate about the nature of new appointments – at present staff appointed for 1 September should be treated in the same way as present staff and included in the first round of the assimilation process.  Those appointed after September may be included in the second round and possibly appointed on fixed term contracts, although there may be flexibility here.  Further agreement with the Trade Unions will be necessary and Education Bradford HR also need to be involved.

MB added that the assimilation process for all staff should be concluded well before September 2006 – the sooner the better to relieve unnecessary stress for staff which in turn should reassure parents.

Vision into Practice (CH) – Draft tabled of a remit of a different group to replace Vision into Practice and Co-location Development Group.  Agenda item for the next meeting.

Training (CH)

• Now needs to be re-cast since the SOC decision.  Suggest further consideration at the next meeting. 
• The need to link special school HTs with the sub-group. 
• Bradford College will support/broker the training programme. 
• Further discussion required on the key training elements of team teach.

Pupil Transition (CH) – Increasingly a very critical group – the need to know which of the new schools each pupil will be attending.  Statement reviews will begin in the Autumn term.

DW – The need to reconvene the group to agree a process.

SG – The need to link in with HR assimilation as some staff will want to move with particular children.  There is staff concern on pupil movement and MB added there will be parental concern on staff placement.

PG – There is an expectation that pupils will attend the nearest school and that estimates could be done from this.

6

AOB

DW – Document circulated on Formula Funding – this will be discussed further at the next meeting, if necessary.

7

Date and time of next meeting

Friday, 10 June at 10.30 am at Future House.