Agenda item

Briefing from Councillor Liz Santry, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

The Committee received written answers to questions put to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People prior to the meeting.

The questions and answers supplied are attached in full at Appendix 2.

Question 4

In response to a query the Committee was advised that unqualified teachers were able to teach certain areas of the curriculum without restriction.

Question 1

In response to concerns that a decision had been taken, without consultation, to introduce knife detection equipment into schools, the Committee was advised by the Cabinet Member that the Protocol in relation to this was in draft form. Once finalised it would be circulated to school governing bodies, teachers, parents and the Police. 

The Cabinet Member noted that it was intended that the protocol would be introduced, following sign up from secondary schools, in September as part of the Peace Week activities. In response to a query as to why Members had not been consulted on this issue the Cabinet Member advised it had been considered that this was a decision for schools to make. Although Members would be kept informed of progress in relation to it had not been considered necessary to formally consult with Members on this issue.

Question 2

The Cabinet Member advised that schools had been warned that there would be a limited timescale in place for agreeing the new ICT contracts and the majority had now signed been signed off.

In addition to the questions circulated prior to the meeting, the Chair allowed a limited number of additional questions.

In response to a question as to the number of schools that employed external invigilators to oversee SAT exams, the Committee was advised that external invigilators were not used for Key Stage 2. Each year a selection of schools were selected for external invigilation on a rolling basis, over a ten year period. It was agreed that information in relation to this would be circulated to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that following national press reports that exam papers had been marked incorrectly the marking of exam papers had been reviewed. This had shown that there were instances where marking had not been consistent and at present the Director of Children’s Services was consulting with colleagues across London to determine how widespread the problem was. 

It was agreed that details of the number of teaching staff subject to disciplinary action, or who had resigned as a result of statutory concerns, should be supplied to the Committee.

In response to concerns at the lack of provision of activities for young people living in Tower Gardens during the summer holidays, the Committee was advised that the expansion of the Summer University scheme meant that funding for activities had been distributed differently this year. The Committee was advised that this issue had been noted and work was being carried out to provide youth facilities from smaller centres.

It was agreed that a list of the youth activities taking place over the summer should be circulated to all Members.

A question was put to the Cabinet Member by Councillor John Oakes in relation to the new process in place for youth groups applying for funding from the Council. The Cabinet Member advised that it was necessary for groups to register before funding could be applied for as the process was now administered by the Youth Opportunities Fund.

The Cabinet Member agreed to supply a written response to the concerns raised by Councillor Oakes.

RESOLVED:

1. That the answers supplied in relation to Members questions be noted.

2. That, where further information had been requested by the Committee, this should be supplied.