The Education Board of the City of London Council was scheduled to discuss a range of educational initiatives and reports. Key topics included the review of applications for the Cultural & Creative Learning Fund, an impact report on the School Visits Fund, and updates on various programmes such as the London Careers Festival and Step Up to Mentoring. The Board was also set to consider validated results for the City Family of Schools, a report from the Virtual School Headteacher, and the Adult Skills Education and Apprenticeship Service's annual self-assessment and quality improvement plan. Additionally, the strategic development plan for the Adult Skills and Education Service, the City Youth Guarantee, and governor appointments were on the agenda.

Appointments to Sub-Committees

The Board was scheduled to consider the appointment of members to sub-committees. This included reviewing the terms of reference and composition of the Nominations Sub-Committee and the Member Development and Standards Committee for the 2026/27 municipal year. The Nominations Sub-Committee's remit includes reviewing the skills audit of the Education Board's membership, reviewing applications for external members, and making recommendations on the appointment of external candidates and Sponsor Trustees to the City of London Academies Trust. The Member Development and Standards Committee is responsible for agreeing a programme of member training and development, promoting high standards of conduct, and reviewing the City of London Corporation's Member Code of Conduct.

Cultural & Creative Learning Fund 2026/2027 - Application Review

The Board was set to review applications for the Cultural & Creative Learning (CCL) Fund for the 2026/2027 academic year. The report indicated that eight projects had been received and deemed eligible for funding, with a combined cost of £114,679 against a total budget of £200,000. The applications covered a range of age groups and strategic areas, including equity, diversity, inclusion, employability, personal development, and community engagement. The report recommended delegating authority to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Education Board and the Strategic Education and Skills Director, to distribute the CCL funds.

School Visits Fund Impact Report 25/26

This report was scheduled to provide an overview of the impact of the School Visits Fund for the financial year 2025/26. The fund, established in 2015, provides grants to state-funded schools with a Pupil Premium rate of 35% or more, special schools, or youth organisations in Greater London to cover transport costs for school trips to the City Corporation's cultural venues. A total of £30,000 was allocated to the fund, with £27,962 allocated across 191 applications, of which £12,863.15 was claimed. The report highlighted that 100% of recipients agreed their pupils had learned something new, and 98% stated the visit helped develop young people's skills. The primary barrier cited for visits was overall cost.

City Family of Schools Validated Results 2025: SATS, GCSE and A-Level

The Board was to receive a report presenting the validated SATS, GCSE, and A-Level results for the City Family of Schools for 2025. This report aimed to provide an overview of the results, comparing them against national and London benchmarks, and exploring school and trust-level details. The City of London Corporation is the sole sponsor of the City of London Academies Trust (COLAT) and the sole proprietor of several independent schools. The report included detailed breakdowns of results for primary SATs, GCSEs, and A-Levels across various schools and trusts within the City's educational portfolio.

Virtual School Headteacher Report

This report was scheduled to provide information about the City of London Virtual School, which supports the education of children in care, previously looked-after children, children in kinship care, and children with a social worker. The report detailed the school's activities and impact from the 2024/2025 academic year and its School Development Plan for 2025/2026. The Virtual School works with approximately 90 children and young people, providing information, advice, and guidance, and collaborating with partners to ensure access to excellent services. The report highlighted various projects aimed at enhancing education, including curriculum enrichment, provision of educational resources, technology, and additional tuition.

Adult Skills Education and Apprenticeship Service: Annual Self-Assessment Report and Quality Improvement Plan

The Board was to consider the annual Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) for the City of London's Adult Skills Education and Apprenticeship Service (ASES). The SAR evaluates the service's performance, assessing teaching, learning, assessment, leadership, and management, and benchmarking outcomes against national averages. The QIP, building on the SAR's findings, identifies priority areas for improvement and outlines targeted actions. The report indicated strong performance in achievement rates, retention, and progression into employment, with particular emphasis on digital skills, cyber security, data science, and finance.

Adult Skills and Education Service (ASES) - Strategic Development Plan

Members were invited to consider the ASES Strategic Development Plan for 2025-2030. This plan outlines how ASES will contribute to meeting government and funder priorities, as well as the strategic objectives of the City of London Corporation. Key priorities include improving quality and sustaining excellence, strengthening partnerships, enhancing accessibility, and aligning the delivery offer with industry, learner, and employer needs. The plan also addresses risk management and outlines operational performance indicators. The ASES service is funded by grants from the Greater London Authority (GLA), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

City Youth Guarantee

This report was to provide an overview of the City Youth Guarantee, which encompasses the collective programmes, services, and opportunities delivered or commissioned by the City of London Corporation for young people connected to the City. The aim is to present these activities as a coordinated and recognisable offer, making it easier for young people, families, practitioners, and partners to understand what is available and how to access it. The City Youth Guarantee includes provision across skills, employability, apprenticeships, work experience, youth participation, wellbeing support, and mentoring.

Governor Appointments Update

The Board was to be updated on recent governor appointments across the City Family of Schools. An updated list of the governing body membership for the City of London Academies Trust (CoLAT) Local Boards and the City Independent Schools was to be provided. The report noted changes in Chair positions and highlighted a vacant governor position at The Aldgate School. The governance arrangements at The Aldgate School are the responsibility of the London Diocesan Board for Schools, with the City of London Corporation holding nomination rights for one governor.

London Careers Festival Initial Evaluation

A verbal update was scheduled regarding the initial evaluation of the London Careers Festival. This festival aims to provide young people with exposure to a wide range of industries, employers, and professions, helping them understand career pathways and future opportunities.

A New Direction - Update

An update was scheduled in the form of a presentation on A New Direction.

Step Up to Mentoring - Update

A verbal report was to be provided on the Step Up to Mentoring programme. This programme has been ongoing since September 2025, with mentors undergoing training and strong interest from corporate volunteers. An employability programme has been launched, and live mentorships were expected to begin by Easter 2026.