[eal-bilingual] Delegation to schools

EMAG has always had to be devolved to schools - except for 15% or thereabouts retained for central strategic services.

I suspect the real question here is about the pros and cons of LEAs operating a buy-back service, whereby all schools give their share back to the LEA, who then employ the specialist staff and target their use in the most effective way, according to agreed criteria.

In my experience, this was a more flexible way or responding quickly to changing needs than a system where schools (or groups of schools) receive their share of the grant directly - although in theory it should be possible for the LEA to allocate devolved funding according to changing need and numbers.

Where a change to more direct funding has accompanied a funding cut, as in Kent, there is no way to judge which system would be best. If we still had the funding level we used to enjoy, and it had kept pace with the rise in the number of EAL learners,  I would say there was little to choose between the two systems.

Like Sara says - there are things to be said for and against both systems.

Gill Adams

Canterbury

________________________________

From: eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk on behalf of real.public
Sent: Wed 16/07/2008 15:22
To: For practitioners involved in teaching pupils from ethnic andlinguisticminorities
Subject: Re: [eal-bilingual] Delegation to schools

Thanks Sara,
I appreciate your comment about the pros and cons and am aware of the
variation between LEAs and of the 'it depends if' x or y happens.
At this stage I really just want a general overview of whether or not
delegation has been a beneficial move for the pupils and profession as a
whole across England.
Figuring out how to realise the ideal is another question entirely!
Cheers,
Jonathan

----- Original Message -----
From: <Sara.Green at rbkc.gov.uk>
To: <eal-bilingual at lists.becta.org.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: [eal-bilingual] Delegation to schools

General response is that Yes/No won't do it as there are pros and cons which
need explanation... S

Sara Green
Head of Language Development Service
Family and Children's Services
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Isaac Newton PDC
108a Lancaster Road
London W11 1QS

Tel: 020 7598 4817
Fax:020 7598 4808
Mobile: 07971 327479

sara.green at rbkc.gov.uk

EAL 14-19 website:  www.rbkc.gov.uk/eal14to19
RBKC website: www.rbkc.gov.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of real.public
Sent: 16 July 2008 14:06
To: For practitioners involved in teaching pupils from ethnic
andlinguisticminorities
Subject: [eal-bilingual] Delegation to schools

Dear colleagues in England,

Please could as many of you as possible respond to this very quick request
with a simple YES or NO direct to my email address
real.public at btinternet.com NOT to the forum?

Aside from individual schools where good working relationships have yielded
positive results, as a whole would you say that delegation of EMAG funding
to schools, rather than funding being retained by central LEA services, is
beneficial for the pupils and for our profession?  On balance, a simple
YES or NO is all I need to get a general picture.

Many thanks
Jonathan Brentnall

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