Agenda item

To receive the report of the Interim Managing Director of City Bridge Foundation

The Board noted the report of the Interim Managing Director of City Bridge Foundation, noting in particular the updates relating to the full-length Primary Arts programme funded by the City Educational Trust Fund (CETF).

A Member asked how the executive could be confident in whether value for money is achieved.  The Board heard that evaluation is undertaken on a continuous basis and assessments take place that centre on value for money, quality of delivery and salary points.

A Member asked whether Aldgate School is included in the programme. The meeting heard that the City of London Corporation is a trustee of the CETF and the charity’s objectives are such that there can be no cross-benefit with the City of London’s capacity as a Local Authority. While the programme has been circulated to schools in the City of London and across London it is down to the schools themselves to engage with the programme (and some schools are signed up to the platform without having yet made a booking), and the programme does not prioritise one school over any other.   

Members were reminded of the opportunities circulated to Board members to visit any of the programme’s events.

Members asked for more information on these elements: how the programme’s impact is measured; whether deprived children are targeted in any way; the evidence base that it makes a difference; and the evaluation approach generally, noting the summary of the tools set out on p.33 of the agenda. The executive agreed to share an evaluation framework (see action point) and pointed out that impact metrics are being closely examined. The meeting also noted that previous reports on the programme have set out the programme’s rationale, and that selection criteria are applied to schools taking part in the programme that include Pupil Premium numbers.    

A Member asked for a prognosis on how long the programme would run.  Members noted that the programme’s design and resources are such that teachers are empowered to continue with the practices set out in Masterclasses and other sessions.