Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Sir Peter Estlin and Deborah Knight.

The Chair took this opportunity to welcome the new Town Clerk and new members Naresh Sonpar (Community & Children’s Services Committee Representative) and Deputy Madush Gupta.

The Chair noted that Deputy Philip Woodhouse had submitted his resignation shortly before the meeting, effective immediately and invited Members interested in filling the vacancy to inform her ahead of September. The appointment will take place at the next Education Board meeting in October.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 28 April 2022.

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 28 April were approved as a correct record.

In relation to Item 14 of the previous minutes, the Chair informed the Board that the re-formatted Freemen’s Partnership Brochure was not ready for this meeting and that it will be circulated to Members by email.

In response to a question raised by a Member, the Board was informed that the levels of staff and pupils absent from Covid-19 was far lower than this time last year. The Board was also informed that it would be possible to reinstate a Covid-19 update as a standing item in the future, if necessary.

Report of the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED - That the outstanding actions be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk regarding the Skills Audit of the Members of the Education Board.

The Town Clerk noted that the only moderate ‘weakness’ identified by Members lay in the charities sector. The Town Clerk stated that this issue had been identified across the organisation as part of the Corporation’s Charity Review and that it was likely that training would be developed in charities sector in the medium-long term.

The Town Clerk also noted that in the absence of a Deputy Chairman, there were insufficient members on the Nominations Sub-Committee. The Town Clerk invited Members to volunteer to assist on the Nominations Sub-Committee until such a time a Deputy Chairman is appointed.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk regarding the action taken between meetings.

The Chair welcomed Member Catherine McGuiness as Sponsor Trustee on the City of London Academies Trust (COLAT).

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding the recent events, projects and activities that had occurred across the three strategy areas of: Education, Cultural and Creative Learning and Skills.

The Chair invited Members to participate in the Education, Cultural and Creative Learning and Skills events over the coming year, including the London Careers Festival (LCF) and Environmental Day.

The Chair noted that she would be stepping down as the Chair of the LCF and invited Members interested in this position to contact her.

Following a question, it was confirmed that the impacts and output from the events were reported annually at different points throughout the year, with the Education Board due to receive a report of the LCF at the next meeting in October. The Board was informed that the team had been working with ImpactEd to increase the amount of impact measurement and improve the quality of it going forward.

Members discussed the benefits of the events, but were mindful of the public perception of such events in times of financial hardship. Members also discussed the value of surveys in measuring the impact of the events and it was suggested that surveys could be extended to young people in our schools.

Members noted the advantages of alumni networks and it was confirmed that efforts were being made to develop the alumni network for apprentices.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

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

Members considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services on the City Premium Grant 2022/23 and the Allocation Update to Academies.

Following a question, it was explained that the risk of not agreeing the phased in figures for the City Premium Grant is that some academies would not have the funds for “additionalities” or enrichment activities. These activities benefit all pupils, but are particularly beneficial for disadvantaged children, who otherwise might not get the opportunity to participate in such activities.

It was also explained that a risk of not allowing the delegation of authority to the Chair and Strategic Education and Skills Director is that there would be a delay of the implementation of staff and programs.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that strategic priorities could continue over a number of years, if necessary.

Members noted that schools would now only have a short time to plan their budget before the next school year. It was agreed that this would be difficult, but it was hoped that in the future schools would plan the following school year’s budget in advance of December.

The Board discussed the impact of inflation on the City Premium Grant. It was suggested that an inflation matrix should be included in future reports.

RESOLVED - That Members:

a)    Agree the phased in figures for the City Premium Grant: Disadvantaged Pupils Grant (as outlined in the chart in Appendix Two) rather than the amounts calculated solely based on Pupil Premium numbers for the academies.

b)    Enable delegated authority to the Chair and Strategic Education and Skills Director to form a grants panel to examine the applications for the City Premium Grant: Partnerships Grant; and the City Premium Grant: Strategic Grant and to make the grants accordingly to the schools.

Director of Community and Children’s services.

Members received a report of Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding Governor Appointment Updates.

It was noted that City Junior School is not currently included at Appendix 1. Members were informed that this will be included in the report for the October meeting.

The report highlighted that two local governing bodies had not yet appointed parent governors and that four local governing bodies had not yet appointed staff governors. The Board discussed the importance of involving parents and staff in the decision-making process, but also noted the difficulties schools face in filling vacant governor positions.

It was noted that there had been delays with obtaining DBS checks due to staffing issues. The Chair informed the Board that there was now an appointed contact in HR who should be contacted regarding DBS checks.

The Chair informed the Board that she will be stepping down as Chair of Governors at Newgate Collegiate Sixth form in the Autumn term.

It was also noted that officers at the City of London Corporation could act as governors on school boards and the Board discussed what had been done to advertise this.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the School Visits Fund.

A Member noted that there may be barriers preventing some schools participating in visits, for example accessibility issues. The Board was of the view that it would be useful to know this information in order to make changes.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding an Update on Connecting Communities.

Following a question, Members were informed that a pilot program was being developed with and participants with the aim of providing participants with apprenticeships and early first jobs.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

Report the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Education Cultural and Creative Learning Skills Update. Fusion skills are a set of 12 behaviours and skills that pupils need to flourish in learning and the world of work.

The Board heard presentations from the head teacher of Galleywall Primary School and the head teacher of High Gate Hill explaining how these fusion skills had been incorporated into pupil’s learning. It also received an update on the Voice 21 project and partnership work and their contribution to the development of fusion skills.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

The following items of urgent business were raised –

a)    RUBY SAYED

The Board congratulated its Member, Ruby Sayed, on the birth of her child.

b)    ANNE BAMFORD

The Board thanked Anne Bamford for her work in Community & Children’s Services.

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

Members received a joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Budget Update.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

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

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 as follows:-

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

Due to the time, this item was brought forward for discussion.

Members received a report of the Managing Director of Bridge House Estate & Chief Charities Officer regarding recommendations coming from the Charities Review.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Due to the Education Board meeting overrunning its allocated time, the Town Clerk proposed to circulate the non-public element of the Skills Audit by email.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding Safeguarding Scrutiny.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

Members received an oral update from the Chairs of the City of London Independent Schools and Board of Trustees of the City of London Academies Trust.

RESOLVED - That the update be noted.

There were no questions.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022.

There were no questions.

RESOLVED - That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022, be approved as a correct record.