Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding upcoming national policy. The following matters were raised:-

·         A question was raised about the impact of BREXIT on the availability of school meals for pupils within the Family of Schools. It was explained that this concern stemmed primarily from the working status of catering staff that were in possession of an EU passport. Determination of exactly how many employees would be affected was difficult for several reasons. However, it was reported that the number of staff that held EU passports at the Family of Schools was relatively low and as a result this particular issue was not envisaged as posing a significant risk.

·         The matter of whether the qualifications of teaching staff would continue to be recognised post-BREXIT was discussed briefly. Members were informed that an agreement had already been made for joint recognition of qualifications across the EU, and that this area was unlikely to have immediate implications on the day of the UK’s departure from the EU.

·         Regarding pupils from the EU, it was noted that there would possibly be funding implications for schools receiving support on a per-pupil basis. This impact continued to be difficult to measure as schools were not always made aware of those families that might be looking to move away from the UK.

·         Members felt that the Family of Schools should be encouraged to approach their various contractors (catering, cleaning etc) to request detail of those contractors’ BREXIT contingency plans.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.