Agenda item

Mark Taylor, Director of Learning and Schools; Finola Culbert, Director of Safeguarding and Family Support; Jeff Cole, Head of School Improvement (Secondary) and Anthony Doudle, Head of School Improvement (Primary) presented the report which summarised the performance of children’s services in Quarter 3 2017/18.

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

·         The Committee expressed concern that Black Caribbean pupils and White British pupils eligible for free school meals were not achieving the same level of progress as their peers. Officers shared the committee’s concerns and attributed this disparity to a class issue. Although it was hoped that measures to support all young people would result in improved attainment across all demographic groups, it was a concern that young people from certain backgrounds were not catching up with their peers.

·         Officers explained that some schools experienced these issues more acutely than others and this was being addressed through the Community of Schools. Schools where there was a large gap in progress and attainment for certain groups were being paired with schools where this was not a significant issue. This was intended to encourage discussion around how to best support Black Caribbean and White Working Class pupils, and it was hoped that this would help schools in developing best-practice approaches.

·         Officers commented that by Year 6 the attainment gap between children eligible for free school meals and their peers was significant. Officers advised that schools intended to form a strategic partnership and appoint an officer to carry out a detailed review of this topic, however this would depend on the availability of school resources. Officers commented that Black Caribbean and White Working Class attainment was an equalities issue, rather than a purely educational concern. 

·         The Committee suggested that the council and schools needed to engage further with community groups holding after school activities to ensure that Black Caribbean and White Working Class pupils received targeted wrap-around support.

·         A member commented that funding from the Schools Forum for supplementary education activities may reduce. The Committee expressed concern that this may have a negative impact on young people. In response, officers advised that the council and head teachers valued supplementary education, however the financial pressures on schools and local authorities were so significant that they were struggling to carry out their statutory functions. The council and local schools would review if community groups providing supplementary education could be supported in other ways which did not involve a direct financial contribution. Officers hoped that this would result in more strategic join up between schools and supplementary education providers.

·         It was suggested that supplementary schools and community groups may be able to use school premises in the evenings and at weekends. Members commented that this would provide a safe environment for young people. 

·         A member highlighted that the Committee regularly received information about the challenges faced by working class pupils, which included trauma in childhood and low aspirations. It was commented that these young people faced multiple challenges which reinforced the inequalities in wider society. The Committee emphasised the importance of supporting young people from working class backgrounds.

·         The Committee considered the work underway to develop a ‘cultural entitlement’ programme, which would provide all young people with 11 cultural experiences by Year 11. Officers commented that there were a number of free cultural activities which were open to all and it was important to ensure that young people had access to these.

·         Officers commented that young people who had experienced trauma tended to struggle in high-pressured test scenarios, even if they were otherwise high-performing pupils.  

·         The Committee noted that absence from school had a significant impact on attainment and it was crucial that schools engaged effectively with parents on this issue.

·         A member asked officers if they considered that schools were using pupil premium funding effectively to reduce inequalities, if the council could do more to support schools in spending this funding appropriately, or if schools did not receive adequate funding. In response, officers advised that some schools used the funding effectively, however the role of the council was to monitor compliance, rather than outcomes. It was known that the funding was used for a wide spectrum of activities, and Islington did engage with schools on its use more than some other authorities, however the council did not have powers to direct schools on how the funding should be spent. Schools were required how publish how they used pupil premium funding.

·         A member commented on the importance of engaging with parents. It was suggested that clear communication was needed on the responsibilities of schools, the responsibilities of parents, and aspirations.

·         A member of the public queried if Islington was affected by national challenges to recruit and retain teachers. In response, officers commented that Islington was successful in recruiting newly qualified teachers, however there was a retention issue when teachers reached an age when they wanted to start a family. Housing in Islington and the surrounding areas was not affordable for those on middle incomes and this resulted in many experienced teachers moving out of London.

·         The council held borough-wide training sessions for teachers to ensure that all teaching staff were aware of local issues.

The Committee thanked officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED:

That Children’s Services performance in Quarter 3 2017/18 be noted.