Agenda item

To receive the report of the Executive Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Board noted the report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Strategic Education and Skills Director updating Members on the outcomes of the London Careers Festival (LCF) 2025 which engaged primary and secondary school pupils, sixth form and college students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), all from across London and adjacent counties. The Board noted the LCF 2025 evaluation report, and the recommendations for LCF 2026 onwards.  

Members asked for more information about the question ‘Do you feel you could work in central London?’, and the meeting heard that the term ‘central London’ was chosen rather than ‘Square Mile’ for the sake of clarity, and that most respondents who were resident in boroughs bordering the Square Mile had responded that they did not feel they could work in central London. Members commented that it was not clear what was meant by the term ‘central London’. The meeting noted that social mobility initiatives under way work with City and London-based employers, government and schools to address the perception of central London careers and improve confidence and connections, including among students from varying socio-economic backgrounds, noting also that there is scope for the LCF to further enhance those opportunities working more with organisations such as Young Professionals YP-UK and Pathways. 

Members noted the City financial service firms that run online careers-orientated platforms, commenting that there is merit in ensuring that those and other work placement initiatives are communicated to schools.