Skip to content

Agenda item

Executive Member Questions

Minutes:

Councillor Joe Caluori, Executive Member for Children and Families, introduced his paper on the latest developments in Children’s Services.

 

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

 

·         Councillor Caluori explained that Mount Carmel Catholic Girls’ School was to become a mixed sex non-denominational academy. It was reported that staff, the school’s leadership team and pupils were generally engaged with the transition. Staff would transfer to the new academy under TUPE arrangements. Some parents were displeased with the decision of the catholic diocese, which was due to an over-supply of catholic girls’ places in north London and the school running a financial deficit. The Executive Member was not aware which provider would be sponsoring the academy, however advised that the council was engaging with the Regional Commissioner to ensure that an appropriate provider was selected. It was clarified that the council remained opposed to academy schools, however was prohibited from opening a new school and acknowledged the reasons for the transition. The council was keen for the academy provider to be fully engaged in the Islington community of schools.

·         Mary Clement noted her regret that Mount Carmel would not retain its catholic status and queried if other options had been explored, such as becoming a mixed sex school, however noted the possible impact this could have on St Aloysius’ College. Whilst Councillor Caluori could not speak on behalf of the diocese, it was commented that the school was significantly under-enrolled and only around 35% of Mount Carmel pupils were catholic. Pupils would be supported during the transition.

·         Councillor Nick Wayne queried if the Regional Commissioner’s choice of academy provider could have an impact on other local schools and if the transition could lead to the creation of a multi-academy trust with City of London Academy. In response, it was advised that no decision had yet been made and although the result could be that one provider operated two academies in the borough, the council was not aware that the City of London Academy had ambitions to expand to Mount Carmel. The Executive Member noted the government intention for all schools to transition to academies, however commented that it was unlikely for the Regional Commissioner to recommend transition while Islington schools continued to perform well. It was suggested that developing the independence of the community of schools could assist in allaying any concerns of the commissioner.

·         The Chair queried how the CSE awareness project detailed in the paper submitted would be monitored and evaluated. In response the importance of evaluation was recognised, however it was noted the project was in the early stages of development and evaluation methods were yet to be agreed. Child Safeguarding Boards had a responsibility to communicate the risk of CSE and there was a need to raise awareness of the risks posed by peer to peer and gang related CSE. It was suggested that the council could monitor any increase in the number of CSE disclosures following the completion of the project.

·         The Committee praised the recent baby-friendly award granted to Islington by Unicef.

·         It was advised that the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee would be scrutinising the performance of the Youth Offending Service at a future meeting. It was suggested that the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee could carry out a review of the service in the next municipal year.

·         A member of the public commented that Islington had been rated positively in a recent Department for Education publication. The Executive Member advised that he would investigate before the next meeting.

 

The Committee thanked Councillor Caluori for his attendance.

Supporting documents: