Decision details

This report seeks exemption from contract procedure rules in order to create a suitable commissioning route for the Council to commission the Oldham Research School to deliver a programme of EEF training, coaching and mentoring support in order to promote an evidence-based approach to improving educational practice across the borough. The
Oldham Research School has been delegated by the DfE as the sole provider of EEF evidence based research and training within the Oldham
borough.
The programme will support leaders and educators to develop a consistent, evidence based approach to teaching and learning. The
intention is to deliver activity across the borough and may include the following EEF programmes;
• EEF Implementation Training – “Putting Evidence to Work”
• EEF Preparing for Literacy Training – EYS; KS1; KS2; KS3
• EEF Metacognition Training
• EEF Effective Deployment of TAs Training
• EEF Maximising the Impact of TAs Training
• EEF Leading Learning Training
• EEF Effective use of Pupil Premium Training
This request is made in the context of the investment (c£6m) provided to Oldham, as an Opportunity Area (OA), by the Department for Education (DfE). Formal approval for the receipt of the section 31 grant funding to resource the Opportunity Area programme was granted though a Cabinet Report on the 6 June 2016.
The OA is committed to funding the programme by providing access to funds of up to £50K for the academic year 2019-20.

RESOLVED - That: The commission of the Oldham Research
School to deliver the programme (as outlined
above).

Option 1 - Commission the Oldham Research School to deliver the programme
Option 2 - To not commission the training. - This Option would pose a significant risk in the following areas:
• Breakdown in relationships with Oldham Primary Schools who are keen to engage in the programme.
• Potential reputational risk to the Council due to:
o Lack of strategy to improve the consistency and quality of teaching
and learning across the borough.
o Lack of availability of universal, targeted and bespoke training to
schools in using an evidence based approach
o Lack of cohesive approach and consistency of support and messages affecting quality of support to children and education settings

Option 2

Consulation process was undertaken with Procurement, Legal and Finance services.