The Committee will receive a verbal update on the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership

The Committee received a presentation that highlighted a number of issues in relation to the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership including:

1.    A history of collaboration driving improvement;

2.    A strong family of schools;

3.    A community commitment to great education; and

4.    Effective leadership from governors.

The main points of the discussion on this report may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted that the majority of local authorities are developing such partnerships where teachers and schools are in control of, and responsible for their own improvement; schools have the opportunity to learn from each other so that effective practice spreads more quickly; the best schools and leaders can also extend their reach across other schools so that all schools improve; groups of schools can facilitate, commission and broker support and challenge to individual schools and other groups of schools collaborate and access the support they need;

·         Noted these partnerships are tailored to the needs of the communities that they seek to serve;

·         Noted the partnerships are not intended to replace the local authorities instead it is offers a means whereby schools can be offered bespoke support facilitated by local authorities e.g. Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs; and

·         The partnerships aim to make Governmental Educational Policy work best for the local family of schools.

Kate Bingham, Service Head, Children's and Adults Resources, introduced the report which sought approval in principle to grant the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership (established on 24 April 2016) a grant of up to £300,000 per annum for a period of three years to enable the Partnership to become self-sustaining.  In the first year, payments would be made in two instalments subject to the fulfilment of two clauses. Since its launch almost 50% of the Borough schools had signed up to the Partnership.

The Chair invited Councillor John Pierce, Co-opted Members and Commissioners to comment on the proposal and the following responses were given:

Councillor Pierce, indicated that GSSC did not object to the proposal. Councillor Saunders indicated that she supported the proposal.  Commissioner Wood indicated that he broadly supported the proposal but had some concerns around, how effective the Partnership would be, and would need to be subscribed to by the majority of the schools in the borough.  He asked officers:

•         To provide detailed info on the number of schools and pupils THE Partnership will provide for, to be included in the next report and an assessment of the minimum number the LA think to be viable before releasing any resources.

•         to provide advice to Commissioners detailing the number and percentage of schools and pupils represented by those schools which have expressed an interest in joining the Partnership as of now.

•         to indicate what the minimum number of schools and percentage of the pupil population is a minimum required for the financial viability of the Partnership and for the Council to release funds to it.

Commissioner Max Caller broadly supported the proposals but had some concerns around and how the in-kind support would be valued and how and appropriate fee would be charged.  He asked that GSSC consider:

•         how it will review the approach that the Partnership intends implement

•         that this review include annual interviews of those with responsibility within and outside of the Council/Partnership

•         how it will ensure that performance measures are viable and monitored rigorously

•         how it will monitor the key issues in the business plan

•         he also suggested that OSC consider holding a public hearing taking evidence from the Chair, Chief Executive and Finance Director as part of its review of the initial business plan prior to reporting to the CDDM and that the timetable for approval allow for this.

The Chair noted the importance of proper scrutiny arrangements to monitor this venture.  Mayor Biggs commented that an account of the Partnership should not only be given to Commissioners but also to the Executive.

RESOLVED

1.       That a grant to the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership of up to £300,000 per annum from the Council for a period of three years, be approved in principle, to enable it to become some sustaining and to remain in tight focus on improvement, as evidenced by progress in the outcomes described in paragraph 3.1.

2.       That a grant to the Tower Hamlets Education  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.4