1

These were accepted as a true record.

2

CH – Holy Family DSP provision to commence this September, in a limited way.

PG – Temple Bank – letter of thanks gone to staff and governors.

3

Definitive statement received from the DfES re affordability - £250 annual revenue cost per student making an approximate total of £1.3m per year in Phase 1.  Executive to decide if affordable – probably in September. Now working towards the deadline of 10 August for submission of the Outline/Strategic Business Cases.  The DfES decision for Phase 2 expected in October.

PG suggested that the timeline be revisited in the Autumn, working back from the implementation date of 2007. (Action by all sub-groups).

The timing of the closure notices may be delayed beyond September.

BF asked if there were any contingencies for financial shortfalls.  PG – Phase 1 tender price inflation factored in by the DfES.

4

Reported within subgroup updates below.

5

Report on Deaf Provision submitted to EPP based on the recent consultation and proposals for the future configuration of the provision.  The report was accepted with two amendments:

Report likely to go to Executive in September to seek to consult further.

Learning Support Service review – as of 1 September the ASD Support Service and VI Support Service will be based at  Future House.

Those children on the ASD waiting list have all now been seen once.  New referrals (from April 2004) will be seen by the end of September.

6

Health (LA) – primary concern with the split timing of the builds is the difficulty of providing an adequate service to all schools if some old schools temporarily remain open adding to more sites to cover.  Airedale area would prefer all schools to open together.

The dental service in Bradford is about to purchase a new mobile unit.  The unit will require power, water and parking space.

CH – re Health Support – Glenn Allgood working with JR and MR to develop a commissioning process for determining speech and language requirements.  It is hoped that this process will then be adopted as a model for other health/school support services.

CH – one new DSP opening this September with possibly a further 5 in September 05.  The finance/budget requirements for Health now crucial.  LA agreed to work on these.

Early Years (RH) – timing of builds - the group feels that the drawbacks the split build will create for the secondary schools will outweigh the benefits to the primaries.

It is likely that there will be 5 children’s centres plus strategically located across the district.  CH added that these will be linked to a particular SEN specialism.

Communications (LS)

This is the last meeting that LS will attend as she is seconded to another post beginning 1 September.  PG thanked Liz for her considerable contribution to the proposals over the last year.  Pauline Chilvers (HT at Frizinghall Primary) will replace Liz in the Education Client Team and on the Steering Group.

HR (SM) – the majority of the sub-group opposed to the split build.

Exploring further the outcomes of the staff survey with an officer working on the database over the summer to assist with HR support for the proposals.  Message placed on the website thanking those who participated in the survey.

Buildings Transition (BD) – the general view that the primary and secondary schools should be built together.

Concerning Temple Bank – everything now set up for September in the partnership schools.  The additional accommodation should be completed by 13 September and will not effect the arrangements for the start of term.  Partnership agreement almost in place with Killinghall and Grove House.

CH – The 2 year old children from Temple Bank all ‘placed’ from September – one outstanding case going to the High Court.

PG thanked BD and SM for all the work concerned with Temple Bank.

Vision into Practice (CH) - Although the last meeting was not well attended, representatives of Heads and teachers were overwhelming in their view for building the primary and secondary schools together. It was felt that the disadvantages created for the secondary schools with a split build were too great.  Also the interim staffing arrangements would not be adequate.

Visits to other schools ongoing.  A substantial number visiting Cromwell Special School in Tameside on 15 September.  Colleagues also visiting other schools and reporting back.  The group has some strong views about which schools are recommended for parents to visit.

DfES Building Bulletin – new draft building regulations for special schools due out – consultation through the DfES website. 

At some stage, the need to engage with an architect to scrutinise ideas developed so far before the next process.

Training (CH) – The timing of the primary/secondary build is not an issue for this sub-group.

Common training days for special schools on 1 November and 11 February.

Bradford College is developing bespoke training for special schools.

Building Timescale – Headteachers’ View (GB) – Generally against separate timings but this is not the real issue.  HTs very concerned about the lack of advance with the project.  The real issue being, should the special school phase be uncoupled from PFI and draw up its own timetable?  High quality staff are the schools’ greatest resource and currently these are being lost and not replaced to the same degree.

PG suggested a fact finding survey concerning the movement of staff.

SM commented that ring fencing of special school vacancies had been discussed in the HR sub-group.  Also considering the necessity of being more proactive to help to retain specialist skills.

Agreed to suggest that if there is no funding decision made by the DfES by the end of October the Steering Group to recommend that alternative methods of funding be examined.

Pupil Transition (CH) – This group includes parents.  The group recommends that both primary and secondary special schools be built together.

Building Timescale – School Organisation Committee (BD) – There would need to be a clear indication of timings of building of both phases if completed on a split basis.  This would be a legal requirement.

Based on the reports from the sub-groups, PG will recommend to MC that the primary and secondary special schools be built together.

7

CH - Dominic Wall will be joining the SEN Team, Education Bradford in September.  General agreement to his attending Steering Group meetings.

PG for JW – there will be a Convention for all Phase 2 schools, including all HTs and Governors of special schools and members of the Steering Group on 6 October, 4.30 to 7 pm at the Bankfield, Ramada Jarvis, Bingley.

PG thanked all members of the Steering Group for their commitment over the last year.

8

3 September, 10.30 am at Future House.