The Committee will receive a presentation on the initiatives of the Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership and what individual partners are doing to support employment aspirations in the Borough and to discuss what has worked well and areas that could be improved.

The Committee received a presentation on the initiatives of the Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership and what individual partners are doing to support employment aspirations in the Borough and to discuss what has worked well and areas that could be improved. The discussions on this presentation may be summarised as follows:

The Committee noted that:

·         The connectivity that has been developed by the Partnership is exceptional

·         All apart from some of the newer free schools, the majority of local schools receive services from the Partnership

·         The Partnership works to identify the best way that it can help residents develop their employability

·         There has been a positive shift in the attitude of white working class families regarding aspirations for their children and attitudes towards education

·         The business community within the City of London has provided incredible support over the years to the Partnership

·         Although increasing numbers of local residents have entered and successfully completed degree courses. Anecdotal evidence and some limited data does seem to suggest that new graduates can struggle to find work commensurate with their qualifications. There are opportunities available, and residents are successfully obtaining qualifications, yet the Borough’s graduates, particularly young graduates, seem to be encountering obstacles to finding suitable work. Therefore, the Committee wanted to understand the higher education journey of Young London residents aged 18-24 years, from their pre-HE institutions, through their higher education study on full or part-time undergraduate degrees, and on to their graduate employment destinations.

·         The Committee also wished to see what the Partnership had been able to do to assist the graduates in their employment destinations. They noted that the Partnership have worked hard to develop effective solutions as all children, regardless of their social background, where they live or the jobs their parents do, should have the same chance to meet people doing a wide range of jobs to help them understand the vast opportunities open to them.

In conclusion, the Chair thanked Mark Campbell for his presentation and the Committee expressed the view the Council should review its funding of the Partnership to ensure it is proportionate with what is needed to support its work. 

DECISION

1.    To note the activity of the THEP over the academic year 2017-18

2.    To accept the audited accounts for THEP

3.    To endorse the role of THEP in delivering council priorities from 2019 when the Council’s seed funding ceases.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Divisional Director, Education and Partnerships (C. McInnes)

Tracy Smith, Executive Director of the Tower Hamlets Education Partnership (THEP) introduced the body’s annual report. She highlighted the good work the organisation did in supporting school improvement within the borough. She noted the very good OFSTED ratings of local schools and the excellent sense of community within the sector. She also welcomed the close working relationship with the Council.

The Mayor welcomed the report and noted the importance of the work of THEP in maintaining a good support framework for schools. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the activity of the THEP over the academic year 2017-18

2.    To accept the audited accounts for THEP

3.    To endorse the role of THEP in delivering council priorities from 2019 when the Council’s seed funding ceases.