The Barnet Children's Partnership Board met to discuss education standards, receive updates from young people, and review the borough's culture strategy. The board agreed the minutes of the previous meeting and discussed action plans to support schools in addressing gaps in improvement levels. Members also received updates on Ofsted visits and the appointment process for a permanent Director of Children’s Services.

Education Standards

Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS) presented the Educational Standards Report, highlighting that Barnet schools were in the top 10% for Key Stage 2 results in reading, maths and writing. He noted the difficulties in comparing Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) to national PRUs, and that attendance in PRUs was low. An action plan is in place to support schools in addressing gaps in improvement levels.

The board raised questions about Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision and encouraging schools to offer vocational routes of education.

Two actions resulted from this discussion:

• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS) will provide the board with a supplementary report on the results for looked after children.
• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS) will investigate the difference in gender in science classes.

The report detailed the strategic vision for education in Barnet:

Resilient schools – resilient communities: We want Barnet to be the most successful place for high quality education where excellent school standards result in all children achieving their best, being safe and happy and able to progress to become successful adults.

The report also included a summary of strengths and areas for development. Strengths included:

• improving Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) results
• Year 1 phonics results for pupils eligible for free school meals
• Key Stage 2 results, particularly for disadvantaged pupils
• SEN pupil performance at Key Stages 2 and 4
• Key Stage 4 performance
• academic attainment at Key Stage 5
• educational readiness for adulthood
• comparatively strong attendance

Areas for development included:

• raising attendance in Pupil Referral Units
• reducing suspensions and permanent exclusions
• supporting weaker readers in the transition from Key Stage 2 to 3
• improving vocational results at Key Stage 5
• expanding progress and progression pathways at Key Stages 4 and 5
• addressing gaps in achievement for disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND, and other vulnerable groups
• improving pupils’ mental health
• recruiting and retaining teachers, school leaders and support staff
• safeguarding in independent schools
• curriculum planning and delivery

Culture Strategy

Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, introduced the Culture Strategy report, highlighting the postcard project to promote Barnet as a welcoming borough. As part of the London Borough of Culture, youth groups are sharing their experiences of arts and culture in the borough. A roster of activities will be developed and made more visible for younger people. Officers are also developing a heritage strategy and a youth strategy.

Three actions resulted from this discussion:

• Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, will speak to Jalpa Patel, Improvement Lead, regarding the needs assessment for the development of the Youth Strategy.
• Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, will contact Lisa Coffman, Treasurer and Co-ordinator, Barnet Parent Carers Forum, to gather information about arts and culture events.
• Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, will send her contact details to Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS) to pass on to primary and secondary schools.

My Say Matters

Freddie, Youth Member of Parliament for Barnet, reported on passing the manifesto on diversifying the curriculum and speaking to teachers about fostering constructive conversations on current affairs. He also mentioned passing a youth assembly motion on the finance and budget position, and interviewing Chris Spencer, Chair, and Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability. Connor, Youth Member of Parliament for Barnet, participated in a debate in the House of Commons.

Two actions resulted from this discussion:

• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS) will connect Freddie with teachers who lead Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) training.
• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS) will mention Freddie's attendance at the Schools and Settings Standards Partnership Board (SSPB) and Connor's speech in the House of Commons in his Monday communication.

Feedback from Ofsted Visits

Chris Spencer, Chair, introduced the item and discussed the Ofsted letter following the annual conversation with the regulator. The letter was confirmed to be ready for the next meeting.

One action resulted from this discussion:

• Farah Hussain, Governance Service contact, will distribute the SEND letter to the Board.

Other Business

Chris Spencer, Chair, provided an update on the appointments process for permanent Director for Children’s Services and other key appointments.

Other Items

The Board also:

• Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2024 as a correct record.
• Noted the Forward Work Programme.
• Noted the Action Tracker.
• Noted the list of abbreviations.