Outcome Theme Group
Enjoying and Achieving

Time: 9.00am – 11.00am
Date: 24th November 2008
Venue: Hyde Children’s Centre

Present

Graham Ashford - Chair
Caroline Gregory – Housing & Community Regeneration
Kim Brooks – SCYP Education Resource Team
Ameena Ahmed – SCYP
Joyce Swann, School Improvement, SCYP
Lynn Barber – SCYP Childrens Centres
Penny King - PCT

Note Taker:  Janet Hilton

Item 1: Welcome

Graham welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table.
Graham introduced and welcomed Penny King of the PCT.

Item 2: Apologies

Bev Connolly
Alyson Harvey
Nick Caws
Catherine Moseley
Lyndsey Whiteside
A Fish did not attend – no apologies received.

Item 3: Notes of last meeting and matter arising

Minutes of the last meeting & Matters Arising
Items 4 & 5 Inclusion – work programme for next 6 months
Items 7 Discussion and judgement- it was agreed in future to record both exceptions and heartenings in the minutes
Item 17 Venues – AA/GA to discuss future venues for this meeting 

Minutes agreed as correct

Item 4 – Feedback CLT re outcome Theme Group

A Ahmed gave the following report:

• CLT looking at way Outcome Theme Groups are going
• It is now timely to review the work of Outcome Theme Groups with Chairs and Area Co-ordinators
• Some duplication of items with other Theme Groups – discussions are taking place on how this duplication may be addressed
• Each Theme Group to develop a six month work plan – Chair’s and Area Co-ordinators to action
• Align to national indicator sets how we are measuring impact
• Positive discussion re future role of groups – agreement to have a further meeting with Chairs and Area Co-ordinators in February 2009

The following was agreed at the meeting:

• An action plan needs to be agreed by this group to utilise opportunities for ‘cross cutting’
• The meeting agreed to where possible, align work and not duplicate.
• It was agreed that the key points/purpose of the group were as follows:
  • To raise awareness of achievement and enjoyment and what the aims are
  • The opportunity to compare data from other groups
  • Broadening understanding
  • Good practice sharing
  • Making decisions and commissioning work to avoid duplication
  • Progress the way forward for future work and not just concentrate on ‘old work’
• A new play strategy Development Manager is to be appointed in January 2009.
• It was agreed that the group needs to better at collating information from other groups and at measuring performance
• A discussion took place regarding problems encountered by various areas in collating and obtaining data for performance measurement. Several suggestions/ideas were put forward.
• CG stated that her department had looked into Service Information Directory usage (via J Draper) i.e access using ‘postcode trail’ to measure achievement – this may help - but figures will not be available until the new year.
• It was agreed to put Performance Measurement on the agenda for the February meeting.
  

Item 5 – Report Card on NI 72 and 92 – Early years Foundation Stage

A verbal report was given by J Swann:

• Need to highlight national indicators and focus on having one report.
• The report presented to this group at the last meeting was presented at the Early Strategy Group – they expressed disappointment at the format. JS stated that she was working on a new format at the request of the ESG. GA stated that he would also look into this.
• JS discussed the Ofsted Report on Early Years and figures for the Foundation Stage Performance. Both documents are attached for information.
• It was noted that local targets for 2008 had been met and exceeded in all areas and also the gap had been narrowed
• 2009 targets – need to be revised locally.
• Ofsted Report on Childcare & Early years awaiting electronic copy from JS-24.11.08
• CG stated that Teenage parents lacked confidence in using formal childcare – she suggested ‘taster sessions as an introduction to formal childcare – JS agreed that this was a good idea.
• KB - LAC - struggling with early years PEP – getting it right – extracting data – they are not getting a true picture of progress. Need to liaise with School Improvement Team
• AA Training around the report card. Definitions on performance indicators need work.

Item 6 - Discussion & Judgement

• Heartening and a real strength
• JS to forward points on the above.
  

Item 7 - Report on Educational Standards

• Report circulated and GA explained the detail of the report.
• Key points
  • Continued trend - long term improvement
  • Baseline below national average
•  Report received. Report going to Partnership.
  

Item 8 - Action Plan – Influenced by JAR Feedback

• Draft work schedule for next six months circulated to the meeting
• It was suggested that for each meeting a neighbourhood area should be selected and information collated as to what is happening, what is working and use of indicators. To be discussed at a later meeting.
• AA/GA to progress the draft work schedule keeping the focus on reporting in one way
• Report card to be progressed at a later date.

Item 9 - DVD School Sports Presentation

L Whiteside – unable to attend - deferred to a later meeting

Item 10 – Date/Venue of Meetings 2009

 Details were given with regards to dates/venues for the 2009 meetings.

Item 11 – AOB

Graham thanked all members for attending.

Item 12 – Date & Venue for next meeting

21st January 2009 - Stalybridge Civic Hall