Agenda item

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

The Board received a report of the Head of the City of London School that updated Governors on School matters.

The Head advised the Governors that the total number of Means Tested Sponsored Scholarships awarded since the launch of the scholarship campaign in 2001 was 201, not 2001. 

The Chairman informed the Board that the report would be amended to show that concerns regarding the Grove Park Sports Ground had not been reported to the City Surveyors as they were not responsible for the works. The Chairman also advised that concerns over summer works should have been included separately under the non-public agenda as it contained sensitive information.

The Committee commended the teachers and pupils on their excellent exam results and their continued hard work. A Governor questioned the comparatively poor results in a few subjects and the Head explained that this may be due to background influences such as parents picking a subject for their child for which they were unsuited and she assured the Board that her staff were working with parents to encourage the making of realistic choices.

In response to a Governor’s question the Head informed the Board that pupils were taught Mandarin once a week for an hour in the first and second year. The Board noted that exam results had improved and the Head explained that this was due to a change in the examination nationally. Previously it had been designed for native Mandarin speakers whereas now it was more focussed on those learning it as a second language. Mandarin at GCSE might be introduced in the future depending on student interest however, the School would then need to consider whether Dragons in Europe should continue to provide lessons or if employing a Mandarin teacher would be a viable option going forward.

Governors were informed of the work the School were undertaking on youth alienation and mental health. It was noted that young men were more susceptible to suicide. The Board congratulated the School for the ongoing work on both youth alienation and mental health.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.