Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Emily Garland  Email: emily.garland@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Sir Peter Estlin, Shravan Joshi and The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, William Russell.

 

Mary Robey also gave advance notice that she would be required to leave promptly at 1pm, and Tijs Broeke issued apologies in advance for leaving the meeting early.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Public Minutes pdf icon PDF 245 KB

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 20 May 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 20 May 2021 were approved as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Outstanding Actions pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Town Clerk regarding outstanding public actions of the Board.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Nominations Sub-Committee Minutes pdf icon PDF 107 KB

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Nominations Sub-Committee meeting held on 15 June 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The public minutes of the Nominations Sub-Committee meeting held on 15 June 2021 were noted.

 

The Town Clerk provided a verbal update on the progress of the Nominations Sub-Committee in reviewing the Co-opted Member appointment process. The Board noted that a skills matrix was being developed, from that used by the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, and would be circulated to the Board by the end of July before being submitted to the Board for approval on 9 September 2021.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

COVID-19 Update

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Director of Community and Children’s Services was heard relative to the COVID-19 update. The following points were noted:

  • On 14 June 2021, it was announced that the current protective measures would continue until at least 19 July. This would coincide with the end of the academic year.
  • Recent Public Health England (PHE) data suggested that approximately one in 250 schools had live cases but that this was increasing. Test kits were due to be delivered from 29 June, and information on delivery schedules and refreshed guidance was available on the school or college document sharing platform. Several of the academies were currently experiencing increasing numbers of pupils and teachers absent due to testing positive or being required to self-isolate.
  • As a result, the Government had published an updated contingency framework for schools and education settings. This set out the additional control measures that may be implemented if there were local COVID-19 outbreaks, including the temporary reintroduction of face coverings and increased testing.
  • PHE had recently published a report on the impact of COVID-19 on London’s children and young people. This found that lockdown measures had significant impacts on young people, including mental health, obesity, parental conflict and anxiety, poverty, safeguarding concerns, and social isolation vulnerability and risk. These findings were mirrored in the findings of the City Family of Schools, as reported at the previous Board meetings. Members were once again thanked for the additional support to address mental health and wellbeing of pupils at these schools.
  • On 8 June guidance was released related to appeals to the assessment and awarding process for 2021. All students would have the right to appeal but these applications must be submitted by 16 August 2021.

 

RESOLVED, that the update be received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Education, Cultural and Creative Learning and Skills Annual Action Plan pdf icon PDF 311 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the annual action plan to deliver the City’s educational, cultural and creative learning, and skills strategies over the 2021/22 academic year.

 

Members were reminded that the action plan in Appendix 1 outlined priority actions to be progressed during the 2021/22 academic year, while the actions in Appendix 2 were those which occurred on an annual basis.

 

A Member enquired as to the role of the Board in promoting and enabling youth voice, as referred to in the report. It was confirmed that the Board did indeed have a role in implementing actions to support youth voice and that the Education Unit were in discussion with the schools on the best forums and platforms for implementing these. A focus was being placed on gaining the views of the young people in the Family of Schools, with an initial focus around the impact of COVID-19. The Chair added that items focusing on oracy and student voice were to be expected at the December Board meeting.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

  • The annual action plan for the 2021/22 academic year in Appendix 1, which contains the key programmes and focus of activity to be delivered over the year to meet the aims and outcomes of the Education, Cultural and Creative Learning and Skills Strategies, be approved;
  • The annually recurring actions outlined in Appendix 2, which are the ‘core business’ actions delivered each academic year, be noted.
 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Education Board Budget Update pdf icon PDF 234 KB

Joint report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

Members received a joint report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Chamberlain regarding the Education Board’s Budget update for the 2021/22 Financial Year.

 

It was again highlighted that there was a predicted overspend on salaries. Officers were looking at mitigating actions and the Board could expect an updated balance sheet in due course.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

City Premium Grant 2021/22 Allocation to Academies pdf icon PDF 165 KB

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

 

To be read in conjunction with Item 31 on the agenda.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the City Premium Grant allocations for 2021/22.

 

Members noted that an additional paper may be submitted to the September Board meeting due to one academy requiring extra time to submit their bid. Evaluations of the awarded grants and their impact would be received by the Board in December 2022.

 

A Member enquired about whether funding was ever granted to multi-year projects to which it was confirmed that academies often submitted bids for the same project each year. The Member also highlighted that outcomes of the grants for repeat projects were not included in the report and Members were reassured that detailed scrutiny took place by officers in the Corporation and CoLAT when considering the allocations.

 

A point was raised about potentially gaining funding for some items, such as coaching for exams, in a regular format rather than on an annual basis due to the ongoing need. The Chair informed the Board that this was being considered as part of the Tomlinson review but that these changes would not be fully implemented until the following academic year.

 

A Member enquired as to the process for estimating the monetary value of each application. It was noted that an itemised breakdown of estimated spend was required for each application, recognising that on occasion spend was dependent on the need of the incoming students which was difficult to estimate. Actual spend was monitored through mid-year scrutiny meetings with the academies.

 

Members discussed the potential of using external programmes which offered assistance in facilitating student travel to other countries, in which it was highlighted that while the rewards were lucrative these schemes often remained at a high cost. It was confirmed that the Education Unit continued to monitor these opportunities and highlighted

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Governor Appointments Update pdf icon PDF 113 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding an update on Governor Appointments.

 

A Member informed the Board that there were now two vacancies at City of London Academy Shoreditch Park, despite the report showing one, and offered to forward any information to the relevant officers. Another Member took the opportunity to inform the Board that, contrary to the report, he was no longer a Governor at The City Academy, Hackney.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Education Activities Update pdf icon PDF 180 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding an update on the City’s educational activities.

 

Members noted that some dates, included in the provisional calendar at Appendix 1, may be subject to change depending on developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and Government guidelines.

 

The Chair invited those who wished to attend any listed events to contact the Education Unit.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Biodiversity Action Plan

The Director of Open Spaces to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Director of Open Spaces was heard relative to the City Corporation’s Biodiversity Action Plan.

 

The City Gardens Manager gave a brief introduction to biodiversity and the City’s Biodiversity Action Plan which was due to be approved by the Open Spaces Committee the following week. The plan focused on four themes: open spaces and habitat management, the built environment, education and community engagement, and data collection. The Board was advised that Members and officers could help by establishing the biodiversity on the City’s educational sites and look at how this could be improved or better preserved, including reviewing buildings and management processes. Regarding education and community engagement, the Board could have a role in ensuring a greater understanding across the schools and within the community. The officer offered his assistance in supporting the Board and schools in relation to the plan as well as signposting Members to the Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership Group who could provide resources and/or offer opportunities to connect with others for support.

 

The Chair began the discussion by suggesting the introduction of a termly environment forum, following the format of the other forums already held by the Education Unit, as well as a student event encouraging the importance of youth voice on the subject and linking with the cross-Corporation work on climate action and sustainability.

 

A Member also suggested that a gap analysis be undertaken to guide decision making in this area, to which officers in the Education Unit and Open Spaces agreed to collaboratively progress. The Member expressed overall support of the Education Board’s involvement in the plan, noting the importance of education in protecting the City’s Open Spaces, before asking how best to work with other local authorities to develop a coordinated plan forward. The Board was advised that biodiversity plans differed across local

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Shoreditch Park Presentation

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

The Chair invited the Interim Project Manager from London Borough of Hackney to give a presentation providing an update on the Shoreditch Park build. Those who had been involved were thanked for their support in delivering the project.

 

A Member expressed his appreciation of the build and offered to arrange visits to the new site for any Members who were interested.

 

RESOLVED, that the presentation be received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Pupil Places and Progression Planning Report pdf icon PDF 152 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding projections for pupil places across CoLAT Academies.

 

In introducing the item, the Director of Community and Children’s Services highlighted three points:

  • The data within the report highlighted a decline in pupil numbers at primary level that would eventually feed through to secondary levels. The City had already taken action regarding this with an application for secondary provision at Shoreditch Park being withdrawn in light of this data.
  • Parental preference was an important factor in admission numbers and although this had been positive for many academies, there were some where this was declining. With competition in the area increasing this would need to be prioritised.
  • Lower admission numbers were problematic due to the funding received for each pupil. If the number of pupils decreased too significantly, this could result in budgetary cuts which could include a reduction in staff.

 

Members welcomed the report but felt that the issue should be monitored closely and reported back to the Board again at a later date.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Academies Development Programme Update pdf icon PDF 142 KB

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

 

To be read in conjunction with the non-public appendix at Item 30 on the agenda.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services relative to the Academies Development Programme update.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Cultural & Creative Learning Strategy Update pdf icon PDF 129 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services providing an update on the delivery of the Cultural and Creative Learning Strategy.

 

Members were signposted to the short film referenced in the report relative to the Evolve workstream: https://findfusion.org.uk/listing/creative-careers-in-the-film-industry/.

 

A Member expressed her appreciation for the proposals included within the paper and was supportive of the aim to focus on promoting cultural opportunities.

 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Tackling Racism Taskforce Action Plan Update

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The Director of Community and Children’s Services was heard relative to the Tackling Racism Taskforce Action Plan.

 

The Chief Executive of CoLAT was invited to update the Board on the upcoming Equalities Conference organised by CoLAT. The conference would focus on how to develop the equalities culture across the Trust, including in tackling racism, and would take place once a term going forward.

 

RESOLVED, that the update be received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Livery Skills Initiative Update pdf icon PDF 173 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services relative to progress of the Livery Skills Initiative, including findings of a survey sent to all Liveries and Guilds.

 

The Deputy Chair began by thanking the officers involved for their work in developing the initiative.

 

A Member enquired as to how the involvement of excluded students could be achieved. Reassurance was offered that efforts were being made to reach all cohorts of students, including those who had been excluded from main stream schools as well as other hard to reach groups such as SEND or home-schooled students, and an example was provided of the Culture Mile Learning work experience event taking place that week that included many excluded students who had been secured through pupil referral units.

 

Officers were then asked to confirm how the ongoing impact of these activities on these students could be measured. It was noted that, despite difficulties associated with long term monitoring of students following an activity, efforts were being made to develop a collaborative approach across all levels of education to ensure the ability to monitor progress throughout a student’s entire education. The Livery Skills Initiative in particular offered the opportunity to follow the progress of students throughout their education from primary to adult learning.

 

The Chief Executive of CoLAT informed the Board of an apprenticeship academy programme which focused on identifying students who were at risk of exclusion and offering an alternative to mainstream education which provided support to these students while monitoring any problematic behaviour. The programme had experienced success so far and it was hoped that this could be embedded into all CoLAT schools with the support of the Education Board. The Chair confirmed that support for initiatives such as this were being considered in the Tomlinson Review.

 

RESOLVED,

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

London Careers Festival Update

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The Director of Community and Children’s Services was heard relative to the London Careers Festival.

 

Members were informed that the festival had been well attended so far, with the virtual nature providing an unexpected increase in attendees and the sessions delivered so far had received positive feedback. The diversity of speakers was also commended, and the Chair thanked all Members who had provided assistance in delivering the event.

 

RESOLVED, that the update be received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Away Day (Social Mobility) Update

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

The Director of Community and Children’s Services was heard relative to the upcoming Education Board away day.

 

Members were reminded that the away day had been scheduled for 2-5pm on Monday 11 October 2021 at the Newham Collegiate Sixth Form and that the agenda would focus on social mobility across the three strategies. A detailed agenda was due to be provided to Members at the September Board meeting.

 

RESOLVED, that the update be received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Board

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Any Other Business that the Chair Considers Urgent

Minutes:

There were two items of urgent business.

 

Summer School Programmes

The Chair highlighted King Edward’s School Witley’s summer school programme which was due to begin the following week with over 160 students attending from the Aldgate and Redriff Schools.

 

Bursary Discussion

The Deputy Chair invited the Chief Executive of CoLAT to provide an update to the Board regarding the meeting he had requested with the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School to discuss the issue of bursaries that had arisen from the Tackling Racism Taskforce action plan at the previous meeting. The pair had met the previous week to discuss the issue and had agreed a way forward.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Exclusion of the Public

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2021 were approved as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Non-Public Outstanding Actions

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Town Clerk regarding the Board’s non-public outstanding actions.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Nominations Sub-Committee Non-Public Minutes

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Nominations Sub-Committee meeting held on 15 June 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 26.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Nominations sub-committee meeting held on 15 June 2021 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Collegiate Sixth Form Update

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 27.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the collegiate sixth form update and the Chair invited the Chief Executive of CoLAT to address the Board.

 

12.51 – Members voted to extend the meeting under Standing Order 40.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

Update on Schools Funding Model Changes

Joint report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 28.

Minutes:

Members received a joint report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Chamberlain regarding an update on the progress in implementing the recommendations on school funding, proposed by the Tomlinson Working Party.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Education Charities Review Recommendations

Report of the Managing Director of Bridge House Estate and Chief Charities Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Managing Director of Bridge House Estates and Chief Charities Officer regarding recommendations resulting from the Charities Review of the City Educational Trust Fund and the City of London Corporation Combined Education Charity.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

Non-Public Appendix: Academies Development Programme Update

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

 

To be read in conjunction with Item 15 on the agenda.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 30.

Minutes:

The non-public appendix was received in conjunction with the report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services at Item 15.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

Non-Public Appendix: City Premium Grants 2021/22 Allocation to Academies

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

 

To be read in conjunction with Item 9 on the agenda.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 31.

Minutes:

The non-public appendix was received in conjunction with the report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services at Item 9.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

Non Public Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Board

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

33.

Any Other Business that the Chair Considers Urgent and which the Committee Agree Should be Considered Whilst the Public are Excluded

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

34.

TOM Proposals

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 34.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services outlining the proposals of the department in delivering to the Corporation’s Target Operating Model.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.