Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mary Robey and Tijs Broeke.

Alderman Sir Peter Estlin noted that he was a non-executive director of the Association of Apprentices.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 21 April 2022, appointing the Board and setting its Terms of Reference.

The Order of the Court of common Council dated 21 April 2022 appointing the Board for the ensuing year was received.

To elect a Chair in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

An election of Chairman was conducted in line with Standing Order 29. Caroline Haines, being the only Member indicating a willingness to serve, was elected for the ensuing year

The Chair gave thanks to Members of the Board who had stepped down for their hard work and support on the Board, and welcomed a new Member, Mandeep Thandi, to the Board.

To elect a Deputy Chair in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

An election of Chairman was conducted in line with Standing Order 30. Deputy Philip Woodhouse, being the only Member indicating a willingness to serve, was elected for the ensuing year

The Chair to be heard.

10.04, The Board resolved to adjourn for five minutes in an attempt to commence the livestream.

10.09, The Board recommenced.

The Chair provided some further reflections on the past and future work of the Board.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding its sub-committees and appointments.

The Town Clerk explained that, following a decision taken by the Court in response to the Governance Review, that the Education Charity Sub-Committee would not be re-appointed this year. Instead, its functions would fall to the Education Board. Decisions relating to the charities (as described in the Court Order) would no longer need approval from the Community & Children’s Services Committee.

The Chair would continue to act as a Company Member of the City of London Academies Trust (COLAT). Alderman Robert Howard would continue to act as the Deputy Chairman’s nominee. This had the support of the Board.

The Chair noted that the Nominations Sub would need to meet to consider three of the four co-optee appointments. A skills audit of the Board would be conducted, then a recruitment exercise undertaken by the Sub-Committee, with nominees to be put forward for appointment by the Board.

RESOLVED, that:-

·       The terms of reference of the Nominations Sub-Committee, be approved as set out within the report;

·       Alderman Sir Peter Estlin and Mary Robey be appointed the Nominations Sub-Committee (in addition to the Chair and Deputy Chairman); and

·       The appointment of Caroline Haines and Alderman Robert Howard as Company Members of COLAT, be endorsed.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 3 February 2022.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 3 February 2022, be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED, that the outstanding actions be noted.

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

Members received a verbal update from the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

A number of activities within schools continue to be exercised following the pandemic, including air circulation, regular cleaning of surfaces and personal hygiene.

Schools no longer needed to include reference to Covid19 in their risk assessments.

Absence codes had been updated.

After this meeting, Covid19 would not feature as a stand-alone agenda item. With the after effects of the pandemic to form part of the existing regular reporting on staff and pupil wellbeing, steps to recovery and addressing learning loss etc.

Following a question, it was confirmed that if a child had Covid19 during exams, they would still be expected to take the exam with the usual special consideration process taking effect.

With regard to the impact on staffing, there had been pinch points in February/March 2022. The Easter Holiday helped reduce transmission. With more outdoor learning in the summer term, it was hoped there would be fewer outbreaks. It was now clear that Covid19 could be contracted on multiple occasions. Those suffering from ‘Long-Covid’ were being offered reduced teaching loads. There were staffing shortages more generally (non-Covid related).

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

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

Members considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the 2022/23 Education, Cultural and Creative Learning action plan.

Members were supportive of the high level of exposure to the world of work from a young age. Partnerships with other organisations, such as the social mobility network, were integral.

It was suggested that there needed to be increased focus on drawing together work on skills provision across the City and wider-London.

RESOLVED, that Members:

·       approve the annual Action Plan for the 2022/23 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.

·       Note the annually recurring actions outlined in Appendix 2 which are the ‘core business’ actions delivered each academic year.

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

Members considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Departmental Business Plan.

RESOLVED, that Members

·       Note the factors taken into consideration in compiling the Department of Community and Children’s Services Business Plan; and

·       Approve, subject to the incorporation of any changes sought by this Committee, the departmental Business Plan for Community and Children’s Services for 2022/23 (or the elements therein that fall within this committee’s Terms of Reference).

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding Governor Training Recommendations and Governor Appointment updates.

It was noted that Janette Junghaus was not appointed as a parent governor.

When discussing the training available, Members asked that the Board and COLAT receive invitations (ACTION).

Where possible Members encouraged the use of virtual training, to make it more accessible. Recordings were welcome. It was suggested that a governor hub be developed.

The City Junior School should be included within the report going forward.

RESOLVED, that Members:

·       Note the City of London Academies Trust (CoLAT) Board of Trustees ratified new appointments to Local Governing Bodies (LGBs) at their meeting on 17 March 2022, as detailed in paragraph 2 of the report.

·       Endorse the recommendation which encourages governors across the City Family of Schools to complete training every two years in our three statutory areas.

·       Endorse the recommendation which require clerks across the City Family of Schools to keep appropriate records of governor training for the governing body and that these are regularly monitored and updated.

Report of the the Heads of the three City of London Independent Schools.

Members received a joint report of the Head of the City of London School (CLS), the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls (CLSG) and the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School.

Introductions were made on behalf of each of the Schools.

In future years, CLFS would be aligned with CLS and CLSG in terms of the format of the partnership brochure.

Covid restrictions impacted partnership work.

It was requested that in future there be more information concerning how the schools compared nationally, in the context of bursary awards. It was remarked that CLFS was behind CLS and CLSG in this area, but this was due to the loan repayments on the Main House refurbishment works. CLFS aspired to be at the same level as its peers. And plans were in place to improve the position sooner rather than later.

There were a few references to universities in the reports, but none on apprenticeships. This failed to appeal to broader aspects of diversity and gave the impression that other journeys were not available.

Termly partnership forums had been fundamental to improved work between the Family of Schools, with increased connections.

There was a brief discussion on the recent work undertaken on the value/impact of bursaries new funding model for the independent schools bursaries, which had come as a result of the Tomlinson Review.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Head of City Junior School.

Members received a report of the Head of the City Junior School regarding an update on activities ahead of its opening in September.

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 & Children’s Services regarding the Environmental Outdoor learning Update, including Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

It was noted that the Gardeners’ Livery Company and Horticultural College may prove to be good partners in this area of work.

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 & Children’s Services regarding the Education Cultural and Creative Learning Skills update.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the London Careers Festival and Culture Day.

Members were invited to consider running sessions, providing they had valid DBS Checks. All Members would be invited to observe, regardless of whether they had a DBS Check or not.

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

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

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

Members were very supportive of the work to date and noted the progress made with some of the Afghan refugees who were now job-ready, having undertaken interview workshops with their case workers. English lessons were being delivered, as well as tablets for learning.

Members were reminded that anyone was eligible who were 18+ living in London Boroughs, who are out of work and out of full time education. This included part time employment and zero hour contracts.

Details on how to register could be made available on request.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2022.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2022, be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

The Chairs of the City of London Independnet Schools and Board of Trustees of the City of London Academies Trust to be heard.

The Chair invited the CEO of COLAT to provide an update to the Board regarding recent Ofsted inspections.

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

Members received an update of the Director of Community & Children’s Services on the Resettlement Guests.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

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

Members received an update on the TOM Review of ASES.