Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the previous minutes of the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee meeting held on 20^th April 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Simon Clifford, Gladys Vendy and Denis Carey.

None.

None.

None were received.

Councillor Anne Hutton introduced the Member’s Item in her name which considered the matter set out at paragraph 1.1 of the report.

The Commissioning Director for Children and Young People, Chris Munday informed the Committee about the large number of key performance indicators across the different Delivery Units.

It was proposed that the Committee consider an item in November 2015 about performance indicators pertaining to the responsibilities of the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee and the relevant provisions contained in the Corporate Plan 2015-2020.

Action: That Officers bring a report in response to the Members’ Item in the name of Councillor Anne Hutton which will focus on the key Performance Indicators that relate to the work of the Committee.

The Committee unanimously RESOLVED that the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee’s instructions in relation to this Members’ Item are requested.

The Chairman welcomed the report which provides an overview of the quality of education offer in Barnet and is intended to inform parents and residents. A correction was noted by way of inclusion of the word ‘however’ on page 17, Appendix A, last paragraph, to read:

At Key Stage 4, Barnet pupils’ GCSE performance - 5 or more A*-C grades including English and Maths and 5 or more A* - C grades - is ranked in the top quartile nationally. The attainment of SEN, EAL and disadvantaged pupils is significantly above the attainment of their national counterparts.

However the attainment gap for disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils increased to 28 percentage points in 2014, and is wider than the London attainment gap (21 percentage points).

The Commissioning Director for Children and Young People provided a summary of the contents of the report and the appendix to the report.

Following a query from the Committee about the Key Stage 4 results in comparison to the previous year, Mr Munday informed the Committee about the set of key changes in the exam system and explained that the headline changes are in line with those seen nationally.

The Chairman commended the report and noted the benefits of sharing the contents of the information set out in the appendix with parents and schools. The Chairman moved to the recommendations as set out in the report and the Committee unanimously:

RESOLVED that:

1. The Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the content of the report and the details set out in Appendix A.
   
   
2. The Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee note the future reporting arrangements for educational outcomes in Barnet schools in relation to summer 2015 school tests and examinations.

This item has been deferred to a future meeting of the Committee on officers’ recommendations as it does not consider the implications of recently announced proposed changes to legislation introduced after the original report was submitted.

The Commissioning Director for Children and Young People introduced the report which provides an update on the development of the free early education offer for disadvantaged two year olds in the Borough and seeks permission to enable procurement for capital works to deliver free educational entitlement for two year olds.  

The Committee noted the importance of the work being undertaken to create and identify further new spaces and commented that much work is needed to meet the number of places required. It was further noted that during the upcoming months from June-July, feasibility studies will be undertaken at those schools and other settings that have expressed an interest to identify a programme of capital works. The Chairman moved to the recommendations as set out in the report and the Committee unanimously:

RESOLVED that the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee authorise the procurement of capital works to enable the delivery of places for two year olds to receive free early years education. The procurement process will be conducted in line with the Council Constitution’s Contract Procedure Rules.

The Chairman introduced the item which sets out the Forward Work Programme of the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee for the current municipal year.

It was noted that the Members’ Item on performance indicators will be reported to a future meeting of the Committee and will be incorporated into the Forward Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Committee consider and comment on the items included in the 2015/16 work programme.

There were none.