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The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true record.

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 Work progressing well on the production of two key documents:

Still awaiting 2 major decisions:

Next meeting with the DfES Monday 29 March where answers to the above are anticipated.  If necessary, local MPs will broker a meeting with David Miliband (Minister of State for Schools Standards) to push for decisions.

 Starting to consider a worse case scenario, ie BSF failing – looking at other mechanisms for funding.

 JW added that if 29 March meeting is positive in terms of funding the BSF report will go to Executive on 27 April.  MC confirmed that the intention was still to be in a position to publish the Statutory Notices on 23 April.  CH stated that if publication was not on time, he had agreed to notify schools as soon as possible.  

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EPP updates - DSP and Learning Support Services reports supported by EPP on 25 March.   

DSP - moving towards implementation of new provision.  Challenge College Governors agreed to host Speech and Language provision from Sept 2005.  At present concluding discussions with Governors of another secondary school to host ASD.  

Comments concerning the Challenge choice: 

Learning Support Service – low incidence service will be managed centrally by April 2005.  A gradual process will be undertaken with visually impaired and ASD from September, deaf and physical disabilities by April 2005. 

Pre 5s learning/emotional behavioural difficulties - recommendations on future configuration to EPP in Autumn 2004 following work by the SEN Strategy Group. 

Deaf provision – first phase consultation now finished.  Responses as expected.  LS added that meetings with Thorn Park have been difficult due to the perception of many who think it is inevitable that the school will close.  She has suggested a possible way forward is for staff in schools to meet together to discuss the issues first.  CH reaffirmed that there is no proposal, at this stage, to close Thorn Park despite what the media is reporting. 

CH introduced the potential problem of some primary special school pupils moving school twice in two years if the plans go through.  Parents need to be reassured of the minimum disruption.  He suggested that a possibility of holding back pupils in the primary special schools an extra year will need to be considered.  CH fully understood the numerous implications from this but stressed that the interest of the pupils must be paramount.  Discussion led to the following comments: 

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Vision into Practice (CH) – Very successful meeting with DfES architect (Gill Hawkins).  Both GB and SG concurred, although differing views between teachers and architects were highlighted. Previous visits by group members to newly built schools allowed for informed dialogue with Gill.  The schedules well above expectations in square meterage, allowing for substantially better facilities than at present, bearing in mind, however, the affordability gap.  Gill was quite dismissive of the exemplar designs. 

JW asked if the Targeted Capital Fund would be increased to accommodate the higher building specifications. 

SG commented that it was valuable to network with mainstream schools but raised concern that colleagues were targeting particular special schools when it was agreed that approach would be made through Vision into Practice Group.  She also pointed out that it would have been useful for primary mainstream schools to be represented.  LS, JW and CH to consider how best to facilitate this with Vision into Practice.  LS added that the new subgroup led by John Hesketh (Governor Service) could also become involved.  John will be attending the next Steering Group meeting for item: Governance in the new special schools. 

The next subgroup meeting will be in April.  Plans being made to revisit some newly built schools and to include colleagues from Health and Social Services. 

Buildings Transition (BD) – More work being done on the school closure booklet.  Continuing to concentrate on the closure of Temple Bank. 

Planning permission submitted for Grove House.  Killinghall, as a foundation school, organising its own accommodation. 

Pupils from Temple Bank all placed – 9 to Grove House, 8 to Killinghall and 2 to Hanson.  One pupil requesting placement outside the District and one requesting Feversham – these still to be finalised. 

Finance meeting taken place with Temple Bank HT.  Sufficient funds will be held back for close down procedures. 

All class based staff placed and looking at practical arrangements at the partnership schools.  Some teacher union concerns still to address.  Meeting Temple Bank group Tuesday 30 March to move things forward.  Met with CH, LS, SM and Raj Singh from Finance.  Attended one Temple Bank Governor’s Meeting and about to attend another on Tuesday 30 March. 

NS commented that there are some pre school children coming through with severe sight problems.  CH replied that the Children’s Centres will drive the organisation of this through the VI Support Service.  Until this is in place each individual case will have to be considered. 

BD – SOC Training session taken place with the DfES.  There is a need to plan for individuals/groups to speak for/against the proposals, even if these are not received within the statutory timescale.  MC suggested the meeting be held during the day to allow sufficient time for all to be heard.  Those submitting a case must declare any interest – agenda item to discuss further at the next Steering Group meeting. 

HR (SM) – Subgroup meeting next week.  Substantial work being done on the potential preference form being sent to special school staff.  This will be taken to the OJC. 

Issues from OJC (Officers’ Joint Committee) 

The redeployment of non classroom staff at Temple Bank will be referred to the Council’s redeployment process. 

MC enquired about the staffing resources in HR after the recent approval of more funds.  To be taken further by Matt Burghardt through discussion with Education Bradford. 

Training (CH) – £100,000 agreed for Training Support Group.  Recommending to HTs that £20,000 be retained centrally:

Communications (JW) – Developing a protocol for communications regarding BSF.  This results from difficulties schools have had in handling questions from the media.  An information pack will go out to schools. 

LS has informed subgroups of parental volunteers.  She also reported that a joint meeting has taken place with Governors of Greenhead, Branshaw and Braithwaite.  LS offering to attend other school meetings – please contact LS to arrange. 

LS reported that Jill Burghardt at Branshaw is to develop the Website further with inclusion activities and contribute to the roadshow in the Summer/Autumn term.  She further reported that the 2^nd newsletter will go out in the Summer term. 

JW – there will be a visit to Kingsdale School, Southwark in the Summer term and this will be open to SEN and BSF Steering Group members. 

Early Years – No one available to give an update.   

CH stated that a joint Education Bradford and Early Years papers was endorsed by EPP on 25 March.  Agreement reached that each of the 3 primary special schools have provision for a maximum of 24 pupils (age 2-5 years) with severe and profound learning difficulties/severe and complex autism. 

Health (LA) – Deaf provision is up to speed.  Now mapping the current provision on the proposed new locations.  There will be no further subgroup meetings until the gaps are known – probably in the late summer.  She further stated that this was an ideal opportunity to develop provision but anticipated that meeting the needs will not be easy financially and that funding will be required from far wider sources than Health.  CH, JR, MR and Glenn Allgood to develop a protocol document.  

NS agreed that steps must to be taken to meet the needs and further stated that provision went beyond the requirements of speech therapy to across the whole of the medical field. 

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23 April, 10.30 am at The Youth Offending Team, Bank House, Bank Street – next to Gregg’s bakers in the centre of Bradford. 

Change of venue for further meetings:

21 May, 10.30 at Future House, Bolling Road, Bradford 4

18 June, 10.30 at Future House

16 July, 10.30 at Future House