Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That Tijs Broeke be elected as Chair of the Committee for the ensuing year.

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Edward Lord.

There were no declarations.

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference of the Committee be noted.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 30^th April 2020.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 30.04.20 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Clerk

Officers confirmed that all outstanding actions listed in the report had now been completed.  It was noted that the City of London Academies Trust Strategic Plan 2020-2024 was approved by the Board of Trustees and any comments from the Education Board could be incorporated into the document which had been circulated to all CoLAT Head Teachers for information.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Standards Officer

In presenting the report, Officers advised that assessments had taken place during September to guide the recovery curriculum and the most significant concerns were for phonics and reading in primary schools. In respect of secondary schools, the main focus was on year 11 and 6^th forum pupils sitting external exams.  New content was being added to plug gaps in the curriculum and remote learning had improved significantly to ensure that students were not disadvantaged through more face to face teaching, uploaded videos and frequent monitoring of provision.  This remained a high priority for all schools and Officers acknowledged the progress thus far, although there was still much to do meet achieve further improvements and meet expectations for remote learning.

In response to questions from Members, Officers advised that technology had posed significant challenges for learning.  For example, although all NCS students had their own individual device, provision varied across other schools.  Where possible, older equipment was being recommissioned to support learning but there were also pressures on parents, some of whom were not engaged with remote learning.  Furthermore, not all It equipment to support remote learning had been collected by pupils/parents.  Schools were exploring extra resources and more expedient deployment of equipment and mechanisms to engage parents in supporting remote learning. 

Notwithstanding technical challenges, there were concerns that prior to the summer break, only 35% of pupils were accessing online learning and schools were looking at how best to improve pupil and parental engagement. Schools were recommended to manage remote learning in the same way as actual learning by for example calling a register at the beginning of lessons.  The importance of live learning and uploading lessons/learning resources was also emphasised.

Schools were working closely with families and had done well to stay open; some schools had been able

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

MOTION – That the public be excluded for the remaining items of business as they are likely to involve discussion on matters deemed commercially sensitive to the City of London Academies Trust.

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 11-19 below.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 30^th April 2020

RESOLVED - That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 30.04.20 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Clerk.

Trustees considered a report of the Clerk regarding outstanding actions arising from previous meetings.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer

The Committee considered a report on the Apprenticeship Academy.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer

The Committee considered a snapshot assessment  of performance of each academy.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer

The Committee considered a report assessing the  effectiveness of  processes in to maintain and improve student outcomes.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer

There were no non-public questions.

There was no urgent business.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 30^th April 2020.

RESOLVED - That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 30.04.20 be approved as a correct record.