Agenda item

The Committee will discuss the role of supplementary schools in the borough and the support provided by the Council. A briefing note is attached to provide context.

The Chair welcomed Claud Steven, Quality Development Adviser from the National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education (NRCSE), to the meeting to speak about supplementary schools in the borough and how the centre supported them.

Claud Steven addressed the Committee and informed members that the NRCSE was committed to the support of effective, community-led, supplementary education that complemented the learning of children and young people attending mainstream schools. The centre provided resources for supplementary schools to establish themselves as safe places to send children. Advisors visited the schools to ensure their paper-work was up to date (insurance, safety checks etc.) and that good practice was being observed.

The Chair asked Claud to speak about the supplementary schools that operated in the borough. Claud Stevens highlighted the following local schools that had recently completed the centre’s three-day Good Management Course:

·         Sudanese Association – based in White City and run a small group of classes teaching English and Maths.

·         Westpoint - Community Supplementary School

·         Glory House Education Centre

·         Iranian Association – based in Acton High School and serving a large group of young people.

·         Lido School

·         Riana Sudanese School – a well-established school based in Hounslow running English and Maths classes and a popular Youth Club.

·         People Unite – runs a popular homework club.

·         The Leaf Education School

Councillor Elaine Chumnery asked if it was known how many supplementary schools operated in the borough. She then noted that as a parent she would have expected these schools to have safeguarding policies in place as standard but that didn’t seem to be the case. Richard Stanley said this was a national issue – supplementary schools were volunteer-based so were not subject to the same requirements as professional organisations. There was no requirement for these groups to have safeguarding policies or DBS checks for ‘staff’ for example. That was why it was important for organisations like the NRCSE to provide support and make sure they were safe. The Local Safeguarding Children Board had also looked at supplementary schools and were considering how to improve practice across the sector.

Matt Jenkins asked if the content of the teaching in supplementary schools was known – was it based on the national curriculum. Claud Stevens said many schools focused on English, Maths, and Science – in addition to languages and cultural teaching. Matt Jenkins asked if the content was monitored. Claud Stevens said they looked to see if it met national standards but they were not carrying out formal inspections. He added that the NRCSE had a Prevent coordinator to look at potential areas of radicalisation and they asked schools if they were aware of the Prevent agenda and the associated local authority training. Richard Stanley noted that the Council’s Prevent officer also has a register of known supplementary schools in the borough and checks in on them.

Councillor Elaine Chumnery said she would like to know how many supplementary schools there were in the borough and they should be made to attend safeguarding training. Steve Miley said the Council can’t compel these organisations to attend training – we can only make an offer to them.

Councillor Caroline Ffiske suggested the Council’s website could have a list of local supplementary schools and a form of accreditation or endorsement showing that they had completed safeguarding training.

Councillor Caroline Needham said she had discussed some of these issues with Claud prior to the meeting and they agreed that the Mayor would hold a small ceremony in the Mayor’s Parlour to reward supplementary schools that had achieved their NRCSE accreditation. The Council would be arranging autism awareness training for supplementary school staff. Claud would also be meeting with the Young Hammersmith and Fulham Foundation to explore opportunities for the young people at supplementary schools.

The Chair asked what the Council could do to support supplementary schools. Claud Stevens said he would like the Council to encourage mainstream schools to support them – particularly by providing buildings at a reasonable rate.

Councillor Marcus Ginn asked if the schools received public funding. Claud Stevens said they were funded by voluntary contributions and fees.

Vic Daniels noted that while there was no formal oversight of many of these schools, some operated from premises owned by the local authority – he suggested looking at the school’s lettings policy to ensure the relevant standards were met. Claud Stevens added that many schools came to the NRCSE for accreditation – they wanted to operate in safe environment.

The Chair said conversations would continue between the NRCSE and the Council to ensure that young people in the borough were being offered the best possible opportunities. The Council would also explore opportunities for contact and support from local organisations like the Lyric Theatre to build beneficial relationships. Richard Stanley said the Education Department would also look to encourage relationships between supplementary and mainstream schools.