Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Chair referred Members present to agenda Item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting, and Members noted the information contained therein’.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Grosskopf, Cllr Abela and Cllr Isilar Gosling. Cllr White attended the meeting as a substitute for Cllr Grosskopf.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business (late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with as noted below).

None.

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

None.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, Paragraph 29 of the Council’s Constitution.

None.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th November were agreed as a correct record.

To receive an update on Haringey schools attainment for the 2024/25 academic year, as well as a finance update for 2024/25 in relation to Haringey schools.

The Panel received a report which provided an update on educational attainment outcomes for children and young people in Haringey in 2024-25. The Panel also received a report which provided an update on schools’ finance. The report was introduced by James Page, Chief Executive of the Haringey Education Partnership and Jane Edwards, Director of Schools and Learning, as  set out in the agenda pack at pages 11-25. Cllr Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families was also present for this item. By way of introduction to the education attainment report, the following was noted:

• The Panel was advised that Haringey had seen improving results in education attainment and that since 2022, the borough was chasing London, rather than national averages. Attainment levels across London were much higher that almost anywhere else.
• The score for good levels of development at Early Years was 73.5%. This was the tenth highest score nationally. Phonics was at 84%, which was above the London and national average.
• At KS2, Haringey reached the London average in reading, writing and maths at 70%. This was a major improvement on past performance. 
• Significant progress had been made in closing gaps in attainment. SEND scores were high and rising in these results. Disadvantaged Turkish and Black African students came in above the Haringey average.
• The Panel were advised that one disappointing piece of data was a regression in attainment from Black Caribbean boys at KS2, after two years of improving scores. It was suggested that a significant reason for this was because of the makeup of the cohort, being 60% boys and 40% SEND it was suggested that this was an anomaly and it was expected that results would bounce back next year.
• At GCSE, London was on average half a grade higher than the national average. Haringey was in the middle of the London and national average. Disadvantaged students performed well. SEND scores were characterised as being very high.
• Haringey had the lowest exclusion rate of secondary school pupils in the whole of London. Officers emphasised that of 32 secondary exclusions last year, 25 were successfully reintegrated within the academic year.
• The Panel was advised that outcomes for Turkish/Kurdish students at KS4 got much stronger, but they were not as good in terms of early years. As part of the racial equality group, chaired by Mr Page, a Turkish/Kurdish working group had been established which was led by a school leader. The working group would be looking at specific actions to take in order to improve performance. It was suggested that part of it related to delayed language development.

The following arose in discussion of this item:

a.    The Panel sought clarification about the interaction of scores for Turkish/Kurdish and those for EAL, and that fact that EAL scores at KS4 suggested that speaking a second language wasn’t in itself a disadvantage. In response, officers advised that they did not have the figures for the percentage of EAL that were made up of Turkish/Kurdish young people.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To receive an annual report in relation to childcare sufficiency. The report outlines childcare supply and demand progress since 2023 and identifies key findings relating to childcare sufficiency during 2024.

The Panel received a copy of the Childcare Sufficiency Annual Report 2023-24, along with a cover report and an appendix that set out the take up of the government’s scheme of 30 free hours childcare. The report was introduced by Jane Edwards, Director of Schools and Learning, as set out in the agenda pack at pages 27-58.  Christine Yianni, Childcare Sufficiency Manager and the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families were also present for this item. The following arose as part of the discussion of this item:

1. The Panel queried how the cost of childcare in Haringey compared to inner, rather than outer, London boroughs. In response, officers agreed to provide the figures in writing. (Action: Christine Yianni).
2. The Panel questioned whether the Council had a role in facilitating the childcare market, if and when they believed that there were gaps in provision. In response, officers advised that they did look at the market, see if there were any gaps and let people know if more provision was needed. A number of schools had set up nursey provision recently, in response to market demand. Officers commented that the growth in provision was in the 9 months plus category due to the new funding entitlement. The Council had sort to direct grant funding for this age group into areas that were under provisioned. The Cabinet Member commented that Early Years was run on the basis of being a market, with providers having to operate like a business. The driver for the funding for 9-23 months old children was to get parents back to work.
3. In relation to language and racial equity, it was commented that the term ‘minority ethnic’ used in the report was outdated. Instead, it was suggested that the term ‘global majority’ should be used. It was also commented that there were cultural factors behind why some communities had lower take-up levels of formal childcare settings. It was stated that it was important to acknowledge and understand the cultural differences at play.

RESOLVED

Noted.

The Virtual School Team is a multi-disciplinary team working to raise the educational attainment and attendance of children and young people in care. The report provides a summary of the activity of the team in 2024-25 as well as an outline of attendance, suspensions, exclusions and attainment, for our children in care. This report is for noting only.

The Panel received a copy of the Virtual Schools Annual Report 2024-25, along with a covering report. The report was included in the agenda pack for Panel Members to note. The Panel was advised that any questions on the report would be taken in writing.

RESOLVED

Noted.

To consider any items admitted at item 3 above.

N/A

26 February 2026

26 February.

To note the work programme, and to suggest any amendments.

RESOLVED

That the work programme was noted and any amendments were agreed.