The Children, Education and Families Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to review updates on the portfolio plan, budget, and capital programmes. The meeting will also include a deep dive into educational outcomes for children in Bromley schools, with a particular focus on the disadvantage gap.

Portfolio Holder Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the Children, Education and Families Portfolio Plan for the third quarter of 2025/26. This report, titled CEF Portfolio Plan 202526 Q3 Update, will provide information on the progress made against the plan's objectives.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Decisions

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to pre-decision scrutiny of decisions related to the Children, Education and Families portfolio. This includes a review of the Budget Monitoring 2025/26 and the Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 3 2025/26. The committee will also examine the Award of Contract for Capital Works at Hawes Down Primary School - Part 1 (Public) Report.

Policy Development and Other Items

The committee's agenda also includes several policy development and other items. The Bromley Virtual School Annual Report 2024/25 is scheduled for discussion, providing an overview of the services and support offered to children in care. Additionally, the Children, Education and Families Contracts Register and the Children, Education and Families Risk Register - 2025/26 Update will be presented.

A key item for discussion is the Performance Reporting - Children's Scrutiny Dataset Part 1 (Public) Report, which will be followed by a detailed examination of Education Outcomes for Children in Bromley Schools 2024/25. A specific focus will be placed on Deep Dive: The Disadvantage Gap in Education Outcomes, exploring the disparities in educational attainment.

Standard Items

The meeting will commence with standard procedural items, including apologies for absence and notification of substitute members, declarations of interest, and questions from councillors and members of the public. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 January 2026, as detailed in the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 January 2026.pdf, will be presented for confirmation. The committee will also review the Matters Outstanding and Forward Work Programme.pdf.

Part 2 (Closed) Agenda

Following the public session, the committee will move into a closed session to discuss exempt information. This will include exempt minutes from the previous meeting and further details regarding the award of the contract for capital works at Hawes Down Primary School. The committee will also consider exempt performance reporting.