DECISION

1.    To note the recommendations contained within the report for measures to further improve the performance of Tower Hamlets schools, subject to:

a.    Exploration of alternative independent advisors to assist the Council with its ambition to review A Level and sixth form provision, involving the Mayor and Lead Member.

b.    Not accepting the DFE recommendation regarding comparable data. Mayor and Cabinet wish to receive this data to enable comparison and learning.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities considerations as set out in section 9 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (J. THOMAS)

Director of Education (S. Nyakatawa)

Councillor Mohammed Maium Miah Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning introduced the report that provided an overview of the 2022 education results from Early Years to Key Stage 5 at Local Authority level. Councillor Talukdar explained how he and the Mayor were working with officers to make further improvements, especially for Key Stage 5.

James Thomas, Corporate Director Children and Culture and Steve Nyakatawa, Director of Education, added further detail. James and Steve noted that there was lots to celebrate whilst areas for improvement had been identified. They noted performance against national and neighbouring authorities is good. However, more work needs to be done in order to remain at the top. They also explained that results for Key Stages 4 and 5 had been released the previous day and would help identify direction for improvements.

At the invitation of the Mayor, Tracy Smith, Tower Hamlets Education Partnership (THEP) addressed the meeting.  Tracy explained how THEP provides support and assistance to schools that are not meeting targets. In response to questions from Cabinet members, Tracy provided more information about the attainment levels of maths in Tower Hamlets schools and provided further details on some of the help improvement packages and monitoring arrangements offered by the partnership. 

The Mayor welcomed the report and stressed his belief that education is the foundation of a community and it is a key measure of progress in society. Despite the importance placed on education by successive governments there was still a concerning inequality in education opportunities and attainment nationally. He noted that KS5 results were not as good as expected and explained how his ambitions for educational investment would help to secure improvements, including:

·         Investing in free school meals;

·         Investing in school-building for the future;

·         Refurbishing existing schools;

·         Learning from best practices of schools that are performing well; and

·         Improving schools that are not performing well

The Mayor asked that an independent expert be commissioned to look specifically at KS5, the remit for which should include exploring how LBTH could retain students in Tower Hamlets. He asked that this commissioning include the Cabinet Member and himself. He also indicated he did not accept the DfE advice, as set out in the report, that data for previous years results should not be compared.

The recommendations were amended and then agreed.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the recommendations contained within the report for measures to further improve the performance of Tower Hamlets schools, subject to:

a.    Exploration of alternative independent advisors to assist the Council with its ambition to review A Level and sixth form provision, involving the Mayor and Lead Member.

b.    Not accepting the DFE recommendation regarding comparable data. Mayor and Cabinet wish to receive this data to enable comparison and learning.

2.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities considerations as set out in section 9 of the report.