Agenda item

9.29pm – Councillor Helen Binmore moved, seconded by Councillor Marcus Ginn, the special motion standing in their names:

“This Council notes:

1.                 All LBHF nurseries are rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted.

2.                 80% of LBHF special schools are rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted.

3.                 76% of LBHF primary schools are judged to be “good” or “outstanding”.

4.                 All LBHF secondary schools are judged to be “good” or “outstanding”.

5.                 LBHF is ranked first in inner London in the new English Baccalaureate measure.

6.                 LBHF is ranked second highest in inner London for the percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs grades A*-C (or equivalent) including English and mathematics GCSEs.

7.                 The gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their peers achieving the expected level at Key Stages 2 and 4has reduced from 22% in 2006 to 10% in 2010.

8.                 This year over 65% of LBHF secondary school places will be taken up by children resident in the borough.

This Council:

1.                 Congratulates head teachers, teachers, governors, parents and students alike on the tremendous achievements this year.

2.                 Looks forward to working with our schools to raise standards further and give all our children access to a first class education in the borough.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Helen Binmore and Marcus Ginn (for the Administration).

Under Standing Order 15(e) (vi), Councillor Stephen Cowan moved, seconded by Councillor Mercy Umeh, an amendment to the motion as follows:

After "This Council notes" add the following text:

•         "That Sure Start made a massive contribution to improving primary and secondary school results by preparing children better for their future education. It is therefore a regret that 80% of the families that had benefited by Sure Start in Hammersmith and Fulham will now miss out after the Borough's Conservative Administration cut £3.4 million government funding from the scheme and closed it down in all but name. We are therefore concerned about the detrimental effect this will have on future educational success for Borough children.

•         That improved education facilities including modern school building, such as the ICT Centre in Kingwood Road, contributed to the improved primary and secondary school results and it is therefore a regret that the Building Schools for the Future investment has been cancelled by the Conservative-led government and we are concerned because of the obvious detrimental effect this will have on future educational success for Borough children."

Then continue with the original text of the motion.

Speeches on the amendment were made by Councillors Stephen Cowan and Mercy Umeh, (for the Opposition) and Councillors Stephen Greenhalgh and Donald Johnson (for the Administration) before it was put to the vote:

FOR                            8

AGAINST                   26

ABSTENTIONS         0

The motion was declared LOST.

Councillor Helen Binmore (for the Administration) made a speech winding up the debate before the substantive motion.  The motion was put to the vote:

FOR                               Unanimous

AGAINST                      0

ABSTENTIONS            0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

10.02 pm – RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

1.         All LBHF nurseries are rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted.

2.         80% of LBHF special schools are rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted.

3.         76% of LBHF primary schools are judged to be “good” or “outstanding”.

4.         All LBHF secondary schools are judged to be “good” or “outstanding”.

5.         LBHF is ranked first in inner London in the new English Baccalaureate measure.

6.         LBHF is ranked second highest in inner London for the percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs grades A*-C (or equivalent) including English and mathematics GCSEs.

7.         The gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their peers achieving the expected level at Key Stages 2 and 4has reduced from 22% in 2006 to 10% in 2010.

8.         This year over 65% of LBHF secondary school places will be taken up by children resident in the borough.

This Council:

1.         Congratulates head teachers, teachers, governors, parents and students alike on the tremendous achievements this year.

2.         Looks forward to working with our schools to raise standards further and give all our children access to a first class education in the borough.