NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

26 FEBRUARY 2025

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION, LEARNING AND SKILLS

Schools

Ofsted performance

In the period 1 September 2024 to 31 December 2024 there have been 21 published inspections of state-funded North Yorkshire schools. Of these, 16 were of primary schools, 2 of secondary schools, 1 of pupil referral units, 0 special schools and 2 nursery school inspections.  

Of the 21 published inspections, 13 were Section 5 graded inspections, 8 were Section 8 ungraded inspections. 

Safeguarding has continued to be judged effective in all schools and academies inspected during this period. This continues the positive trend previously reported. 

Table 1: Ofsted performance in graded inspections, North Yorkshire state-funded schools 1 September 2024 - 31 December 2024 – 13 schools

Inspection judgement	Outstanding	Good	RI	Inadequate
Quality of Education	2	11
Behaviour and Attitudes	3	9	1
Personal Development	3	10
Leadership and Management	2	11
Early Years	3	7	1
Sixth Form

Inspection Outcomes:

· 13 schools received a graded inspection from September to December 2024

· All 13 received good or better ratings for the quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management.

· All but one of the 13 schools received a judgement of good or better for behaviour and attitudes (92% compared to 95% of schools inspected during the same period nationally).

· Of the 11 primary schools that received a graded inspection, early years provision in all but one was graded good or outstanding. 

Early Years

• Childcare Expansion Grant: North Yorkshire Council received £1,162,103 for expanding early years and wraparound childcare. Out of 41 applications, 18 were awarded funding, creating 348 new places for children aged 9-35 months in areas with expected shortfalls by September 2025.
• School-Based Nursery Funding: Nine schools applied for up to £150,000 each, with two more applications submitted directly to the DfE. Results will be announced in Spring 2025.
• Wraparound Childcare: Four rounds of funding evaluations have been completed, with a fifth underway. So far, 65 applications have been approved, creating or expanding 1,306 childcare places across 70 schools.

School Admissions and Organisation

• School Applications: Over 13,000 applications for September 2025. Offers will be issued on 3 March (secondary) and 16 April (primary).
• Home to School Travel: Eligibility assessments and transport arrangements will follow school place allocations. New routes will be reviewed, and risk assessed.
• School Closures:

• Hackforth and Hornby C of E School: Consultation ongoing, decision expected on 18 March. Potential closure on 31 August 2025.

• Kirkby Fleetham Primary School: Closure announced by Dales Academy Trust, effective 31 August 2025. Listening Period ongoing.

• Holy Family Catholic High School: Closure by Bishop Konstant Catholic Academies Trust, effective 31 August 2025.
• The Council is helping parents and carers secure alternative school places for their children.

Days Lost to Education

Our recent briefing to headteachers continued our focus on ensuring pupils are in education as much as possible, reducing days of education lost due to various factors such as exclusion, suspension and delays in admissions. The Fair Access protocol was discussed, this is the statutory mechanism via which vulnerable pupils are placed in school beyond the normal admissions process. We are working with schools to reduce the time pupils spend out of school. A partnership approach to this with schools is crucial.

Outdoor Learning Service

• Bewerley Park Development: Construction is progressing well despite slight weather delays. Completion is expected by June 2025.
• Adventures Away from Home: NYOLS received funding to support under-represented young people (ages 11-18, or up to 25 with special needs) through a three-day outdoor learning residential. Five schools have enrolled so far.
• Easter and Summer Programs: Offering a variety of outdoor activity courses for adults, young people, and families during the holidays to promote new skills, mental health, and well-being.

Adult Learning and Skills Service 

• Tailored Learning: Numbers are up 25% from last year( 2024) , which had an 18% increase from the previous year (2023).
• Adult Skills Progression: Numbers are expected to increase as tailored learning better prepares learners for accredited courses.
• Free Courses for Jobs Level 3: Uptake is following national trends. The service is exploring local needs, like supporting Early Years workers to gain qualifications.
• Key Projects: Several projects end in March 2025. All projects exceeded targets and are leaving a positive legacy.
• PLC Learner Numbers: Currently at 199, showing growth for young people with an EHCP. The service plans to promote the Personalised Learning College more actively.
• New Learning Facility: Opening at Campus@Northallerton on the top floor of the Council's new customer centre, linking community and adult learning opportunities.

Music Service

• Increased Pupil Numbers: Over 100 more pupils compared to last year.
• County Youth Ensembles: Residential event at Giggleswick School in July, featuring Orchestra, Training Orchestra, Choir, and Big Band (special guest TBA).
• Music Hub Bid: Awaiting outcome in April to become a lead organisation in the North Yorkshire/York Music Hub.
• Early Years Music Groups: Two new groups at Harrogate Music Centre, already full.
• Christmas Performances: Music Centres were busy performing at various venues and community events. Upcoming performance at the Great Northern Big Band festival in February.
• New Singing Resource: Provided to all North Yorkshire primary schools, offering access to over 640 downloadable songs and videos to support music education.

Schools Budgets

· Following consultation with all schools and academies in the Autumn Term 2024, school budgets have been agreed which will see minimum per pupil funding levels of £4,955 for primary schools and £6,465 for secondary schools. One-off use of Schools Block reserve and Pupil Growth funding has been used to help fund the school budget requirement in 2025/26.

· Following consultation with the early years sector, I can also confirm that the local authority has agreed funding rates for early years’ provider for the funded early years entitlement for 2-year olds of families receiving additional support, the working parent entitlement for under 2-year olds, 2-year olds and the universal entitlement for 3- and 4-year olds for the 2025/26 financial year. Within this funding framework, North Yorkshire will ‘pass-through’ 97% of funding to providers.

COUNCILLOR ANNABEL WILKINSON