Event Details

Key Speakers

Andrew McCully, Acting Director General, Infrastructure and Funding, Department for Education

Overview

In June 2012, the Department for Education published the final Report for the Ministerial Advisory Group (co-funded by the Local Government Association) entitled ‘Action research into the evolving role of the local authority in education’. This key piece of research set out to explore how local authorities are changing and responding to the requirements of a more autonomous education system.

Central to the research was to examine three core responsibilities of the local authority in education:

• Ensuring a sufficient supply of school places
• Tackling underperformance in schools and ensuring high standards
• Supporting vulnerable children

The purpose of the project was to present an accurate snapshot of how nine local authorities across the country are responding practically to the challenges and opportunities that a more autonomous education system presents.

In a wider context, there has been a useful and major discussion about the future roles of the middle tier and local authority, and though the Report does not second guess that ongoing debate, the final Report offers a unique insight into how the participating local authorities have shaped their education strategies and may potentially re-evaluate some of their core systems and processes in light of the new education landscape. Indeed, the Report documents emerging effective practice and points to lessons that may have direct implications for other local authorities and the education system as a whole.

This special symposium provides an invaluable opportunity for local authorities, teachers, head teachers, researchers, education providers and other key stakeholders to discuss the Report’s findings within the context of the Government’s wider education reform agenda. The symposium will explore how local authorities, working with their schools and other local and national partners, are responding to the opportunities and challenges emerging from a more diverse and devolved education system.

Delegates will:

• Examine the findings of the final Report for the Ministerial Advisory Group
• Discuss the three core responsibilities of the local authority within the new education landscape
• Assess emerging areas of good practice for local authorities, their schools and other local partners
• Share ideas and experience on practical solutions that local authorities need to implement to address immediate and long-term challenges

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• Local Authorities
• Local Education Authorities
• Local Authority Officers
• Schools
• Education and Training Professionals
• Teachers
• Headteachers
• Ofsted
• Lead Members for Children’s Services
• School Improvement Advisers
• Behaviour and Attendance Officers
• Pastoral Officer/Coordinators
• Pupil Referral Units
• Emotional Literacy Coordinators
• Inclusion Managers
• SENCOs
• Governors
• Education Welfare Officers
• Magistrates
• Social Workers
• Social Care Services
• Directors of Children’s Services
• Families Services Officers
• Schools and Children’s Trusts
• Early Years Practitioners
• Counselling Services
• Child and Educational Psychologists
• Family Planning Specialists
• Looked After/Children in Care Teams
• Child Protection Officers
• Youth Workers and Youth Offending Teams
• Community Safety Teams
• Academics and Researchers

“ Overall the evidence in this report suggests that in many cases local authorities and schools, working together, are creating local solutions to some of the challenges that have arisen as a result of the new education landscape and are at the same time finding ways to maximise the opportunities ... However, the research also points to issues and challenges which, so far, have not proved amenable to local solutions and where some additional clarity, further action, or ongoing reflection may be needed on the part of national government and its partners. ”
— 'Action research into the evolving role of the local authority in education', The final report for the Ministerial Advisory Group, June 2012

“ …The purpose of the research project was to move away from a theoretical debate about ‘the council role in education' and shine a spotlight on what is actually happening on the ground. I hope that it will encourage and inspire councils and schools in other areas to continue to work together to develop and strengthen their relationships in a way that works for local children and their families. ”
— Cllr Stephen Castle, Member, Local Authority Action Research Steering Group, July 2012