Agenda item

To consider a report from and Lisa Gray, interim Principal Lead – Best Education for All, Education and Learning, People – Children Directorate

For information

To consider a report from and Lisa Gray, interim Principal Lead – Best Education for All, Education and Learning, People – Children Directorate

For information

Key points of discussion

The Forum received a comprehensive update on the School Improvement Service, which continues to provide strategic and operational support to Dorset’s schools. The service includes leadership development, recruitment support, school improvement planning, and governance development.

Officers outlined the role of Education Challenge Leads (ECLs), who work directly with schools to support headteacher appointments, facilitate school improvement meetings, and respond to specific challenges including Ofsted outcomes and financial pressures. The headteacher appraisal service, introduced last year, has been expanded and continues to be refined based on feedback.

A key focus this year is supporting schools in preparing for the revised Ofsted framework. ECLs are attending national training and will cascade learning to school leaders. The senior HMI for the South West is scheduled to attend the October leads meeting, and Forum members were invited to submit questions in advance.

The service has also strengthened its engagement with secondary schools, including the development of a peer-to-peer support model and “Leaders in Learning” visits to high-performing schools outside Dorset. Officers confirmed that support is being offered to existing collaborations to extend their reach and impact.

Forum was updated on the closure of the Chickerell Camp, which had provided temporary accommodation for Afghan families. Officers praised the response of Dorset schools, which successfully integrated 170 children into local education settings. Work is underway to capture learning from the project and share it with partners.

Governance development remains a priority. Officers acknowledged the challenge of engaging volunteer governors and confirmed that training materials will now be recorded and made available online to improve accessibility.

Looking ahead, the service is developing a Dorset-wide smartphone strategy in response to national concerns about mobile phone use in schools. A working group has been established, and stakeholder engagement is underway.

Members posed questions at the end of the discussion:

Funding and Access:

One member queried whether the service is funded solely through centrally retained funds and therefore only available to maintained schools. Officers confirmed that there is a core offer for maintained schools only, but our broader duties are for all schools through the Dorset Education board. clarity will be provided on funding arrangements as to the funding landscape at the next meeting

Members asked whether academies were engaging with the service. Officers confirmed that while academies are invited to attend leads meetings, most use their own improvement services and do not buy into the Dorset Core offer.

SACRE and RE Adviser Role:

A member queried the inclusion of Dorset SACRE in the impact report and asked whether it is funded through the School Improvement budget. Officers clarified that SACRE is funded separately via a dedicated allocation. The RE adviser role had recently been re-advertised through the Council’s recruitment portal, and officers agreed to confirm whether the appointment had changed.

Forum members welcomed the breadth of the offer and the strategic direction of the service. Officers committed to providing further clarity on funding arrangements and to continuing to adapt the offer in response to school feedback.

Actions:

2025/05

2025/06