Central Bedfordshire Council reported to ombudsman by councillor over schools' performance
A former executive member for children and families is accusing Central Bedfordshire Council of failing to take decisive action over school performance across the district.
The local authority has been reported to the local government and social care ombudsman by Independent Leighton Linslade South councillor Steve Owen, who was sacked from his executive role in January.
But the current portfolio holder says a council education leadership improvement plan is due to be presented to a scrutiny committee next month, among several positive actions being taken to address the challenges facing the department.
The latest figures in a report to CBC’s children’s services scrutiny committee showed some schools performance is worsening, while the council is rated bottom of 152 local authorities in some areas, according to councillor Owen.
Poor performance affects all age levels starting with under twos and continuing to A-level, he explained. “The committee discussed a performance report at its April meeting, but didn’t record its view on whether or what action should be taken.
“The overall performance of CBC schools has been getting steadily worse for the past 15 years, without an effective corrective response. The council’s executive hasn’t even discussed the problem.”
Councillor Owen had asked for a paper on the attainment problem to be brought to the executive in July. But “council officers repeatedly blocked his efforts to do so”, resulting in his formal complaint to the ombudsman.
“There are many well-run schools in the CBC area producing excellent results,” he acknowledged. “However, too many academy trusts and maintained schools are doing poorly.
“Performing worst out of 152 councils is letting down our parents and handicapping our children as they seek university places and jobs. Meanwhile, CBC councillors are failing in their responsibility to hold officers to account.”
CBC’s executive member for children and families and Independent Flitwick councillor Gareth Mackey said in a statement: “We want to ensure better outcomes for our children and young people.
“While there are challenges in some school phases, particularly in primary education where national trends and the lasting impact of Covid disruption continue to be felt, educational success at GCSE and post-16 are improving.
“Gaps to national averages are narrowing in several key measures. We’re working closely with school leaders, academy trusts and partners across the system to drive improvement.
“It’s important to be clear that while the council doesn’t directly control the majority of schools in the area, as most are academies now, we still recognise a responsibility.
“In partnership with the Department for Education, we’ve a clear education leadership improvement plan being presented to scrutiny in June. This sets out the actions we’re taking to support stronger leadership, improve standards and ensure more consistent outcomes for children and young people.
“We’re funding some work across the education system as part of that work, which will be a focused and sustained programme of improvement. Progress won’t happen overnight,” he added.
“Longer-term plans include moving to a primary and secondary school (two-tier) system, which we believe will provide greater consistency and better outcomes for children.
“This is a complex programme that requires detailed planning and close collaboration with schools and academies. We expect the first new proposals to come forward later this year.
“These plans will be in partnership with schools, and then be subject to full consultation with parents and local communities before any decisions are made.
“Actions speak louder than words. We’ll continue to work closely with all parts of the educational system to improve school outcomes for children growing up in Central Bedfordshire.”