Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
Education Advisory Panel - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 12th March 2026
2:30 PM
Thursday, 12th March 2026
2:30 PM
End:
Thursday, 12th March 2026
6:30 PM
Thursday, 12th March 2026
6:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
12 Mar 2026
12 Mar 2026
Location:
Mitchell Room, EII Court, The Castle, Winchester
Mitchell Room, EII Court, The Castle, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Independent Group Deputy
Vice Chairman of the Council
Co-opted Member
Chris Anders
Hampshire Secondary Schools
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Justin Innes
Hampshire Special Schools
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Catherine Hobbs
Catholic Church
Absent
Co-opted Member
Jeff Williams
Church of England
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Georgina Mulhall
Hampshire Teacher's Liaison Panel
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Hampshire Primary Schools
Amanda Mullett
Hampshire Primary Schools
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Hampshire Teacher's Liason Panel - Vacancy
Hampshire Teacher's Liason Panel
Not required
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence received.
Minutes
All Members were present and no apologies were noted.
2
Declarations of Interest
All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
Minutes
Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
No declarations were made.
No declarations were made.
3
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Printed minutes 19112025 1030 Education Advisory Panel 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and agreed.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations.
Minutes
No deputations were received.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman made no announcements.
6
Recruitment, retention and complaints - supporting schools and school leaders
To receive an overview of support to schools in particular teacher recruitment, retention and support to school leaders.
Attachments:
- Document Recruitment, Retention and Complaints - Education Advisory Panel - March 2026 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The Panel received an overview of teacher?recruitment and retention pressures, noting ongoing national shortages, strong market competition and challenges relating to flexible working, workload and leadership demands. Officers provided a summary of recruitment activity, apprenticeship opportunities, resilience support for teachers and headteachers and the implementation of a new zero?tolerance policy for abusive or unreasonable behaviour towards staff.
Members asked whether a simplified flowchart could help schools manage complaints more effectively and whether learning from NHS communication approaches could be used in tackling aggression directed at school staff. Questions were raised about the particular recruitment difficulties in the north east of the county, the extent to which AI might alleviate administrative burdens and the implications of national shortages in key subjects, particularly physics and other STEM areas. Members also discussed variations in schools’ use of AI, the importance of governor support for school leaders, and rising anxiety and mental?health pressures reported among younger teachers.
RESOLVED:
That the Education Advisory Panel note the presentation.
Members asked whether a simplified flowchart could help schools manage complaints more effectively and whether learning from NHS communication approaches could be used in tackling aggression directed at school staff. Questions were raised about the particular recruitment difficulties in the north east of the county, the extent to which AI might alleviate administrative burdens and the implications of national shortages in key subjects, particularly physics and other STEM areas. Members also discussed variations in schools’ use of AI, the importance of governor support for school leaders, and rising anxiety and mental?health pressures reported among younger teachers.
RESOLVED:
That the Education Advisory Panel note the presentation.
7
Virtual School Update
To receive an overview of the work of Hampshire’s Virtual School.
Attachments:
- Document EAP Virtual School Update 2026 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
Members received an overview of the current Virtual School cohort, highlighting high levels of need, improvements in PEP returns and strengthened attendance?monitoring arrangements and attainment across the Key Stages. The Panel noted work to support previously looked?after children and those with social workers, as well as the continued roll?out of trauma?informed resources, updated training materials and new digital tools designed to assist schools.
During questions, Members requested a demonstration of the new Reach to Teach tool. They also discussed Virtual School staffing capacity, particularly the scale of liaison?officer caseloads and raised questions about placing children out of county when specialist provision is needed. Members commented on the high proportion of pupils with EHCPs, the importance of developing life?skills opportunities and the increasing number of children entering care at secondary age.
RESOLVED:
That the Education Advisory Panel note the presentation.
During questions, Members requested a demonstration of the new Reach to Teach tool. They also discussed Virtual School staffing capacity, particularly the scale of liaison?officer caseloads and raised questions about placing children out of county when specialist provision is needed. Members commented on the high proportion of pupils with EHCPs, the importance of developing life?skills opportunities and the increasing number of children entering care at secondary age.
RESOLVED:
That the Education Advisory Panel note the presentation.
8
Children's Services Capital Programme
To receive an overview of the Children’s Services Capital Programme 2026/27 – 2028/29.
Attachments:
- Document Capital Programme Briefing 2026-27 2028-29 Select Ctt 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
Officers presented a summary of the Children’s Services Capital Programme, outlining funding expectations, emerging pressures linked to declining pupil numbers and the development of major new school projects across primary, secondary and special sectors. Members noted the progress of the SEND expansion programme, the impact of rising environmental?design requirements and updates relating to the replacement of Swanwick Lodge and recent decisions regarding new SEND units.
In discussion, Members asked about the feasibility of building upwards on existing single?storey schools, the scale and suitability of resource?provision spaces and how well academies collaborate on planned admission numbers. Questions were also raised about developer contributions for smaller housing developments, biodiversity?mitigation requirements, community access arrangements for new school buildings and the role of technology in new school design.
RESOLVED:
That the Education Advisory Panel note the presentation.
In discussion, Members asked about the feasibility of building upwards on existing single?storey schools, the scale and suitability of resource?provision spaces and how well academies collaborate on planned admission numbers. Questions were also raised about developer contributions for smaller housing developments, biodiversity?mitigation requirements, community access arrangements for new school buildings and the role of technology in new school design.
RESOLVED:
That the Education Advisory Panel note the presentation.
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