Agenda item

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

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

Members heard a presentation by a Level 3 Business and Events Apprentice, within the Education Unit, highlighting the following points:

•               The Education Unit alongside Chess in Schools and Communities hosted the annual Chess Tournament virtually with over 80 pupils joining.

•               There had been an increased emphasis on mental health within the schools and the wider community. The Education Unit supported the delivery of Suicide Prevention Awareness sessions organised by the Public Health team and delivered by the suicide prevention charity, PAPYRUS.

•               The Debating Tournament had been moved to April 2021 so as not to coincide with the reopening of schools in March. Members were invited to join this should they wish to do so.

•               The Find Fusion website had gone live and a formal launch was planned for after the Easter break.

•               The Midterm Strategy Review research had been completed and a report on this would be submitted to the May meeting of the Board.

•               Most events in the 2020-21 programme had not been cancelled but instead had taken place virtually.

Discussion took place as to the positive experience of the apprentice during their time at the Corporation and the Chair thanked her for her presentation.

A Member enquired whether cultural activities could be made available to educational foundations outside of the family of schools, in particular those supported by the Lord Mayor. The Strategic Education and Skills Director explained that while some remained exclusive to the family of schools, some events were already being made available to the wider schools and community.

Members were informed of a grant received by the Corporation to support a project designed to attract socially and ethnically diverse young people into creative careers. In collaboration with Lewisham and Westminster Councils, the project involved the creation of a film focusing on back end jobs in the film industry, where there is growth and supply in the labour market, to encourage 11-14 year olds and their parents to consider creative roles.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.