Agenda item

This is the annual school performance report to inform members of the outcomes of the Summer 2020 assessments and examinations in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham primary and secondary schools, and the current position with regard to Ofsted school inspections.

Jan Parnell (Director of Education) introduced the item that informed members of the outcomes of the Summer 2020 assessments and examinations in the borough’s primary and secondary schools, and the current position with regard to Ofsted school inspections.

Councillor Mark Loveday asked what challenges had been created due to the withdrawal of Key Stage 1 and 2 assessments – and how schools and the council could effectively monitor progress in this situation. Keith Tysoe (Strategic Lead Education and Inclusion) said it was a challenge as SATs were a key measure of school performance. With no SATs results there would be no baseline to measure progress going forward. However officers continued to work very closely with schools and could use that local knowledge to identify any issues that needed to be addressed. There was also a broader shift in accountability measures for schools – Ofsted were moving away from SATs results and looking at the overall curriculum and quality of delivery. H&F would be doing the same.

Jan Parnell added that the education team were having regular one-to-one discussions with head teachers and recently met with 28 primary head teachers at the Hammersmith and Fulham Learning Partnership meeting in March. She said all primary schools had carried out baseline assessments on the return to full education. They reported that the majority of vulnerable children had actually caught up because schools in the borough had stayed open and smaller class sizes meant they received more targeted support. Most secondary schools were working together to ensure equitability in the system of assessed grades but they were anticipating some challenge from parents.

Jan Parnell noted she was also on a national committee looking at the possibility of changing the university entrance exam system post-Covid. There was also a big push locally on apprenticeships and job readiness.

Councillor Loveday asked if testing had been restarted yet. Keith Tysoe said the Department for Education (DfE) had cancelled all formal assessments.

Councillor Loveday asked when Ofsted would be restarting school inspections.

Keith Tysoe said it was likely to be the summer term, but it depended on Covid and resourcing issues. No formal date had been set.

Councillor Loveday asked what would happen to the three schools in the borough rated as ‘requiring improvement’ if inspections were further delayed. Keith Tysoe said William Morris had recently had a very positive visit and officers were confident they would receive a better rating when the next full inspection was carried out. Melcombe had recently appointed a very successful head teacher and officers were positive about the future of the school. The third was a private nursery.

Councillor Alexandra Sanderson asked what was being done around socialisation and children’s mental health – particularly for early years.

Keith Tysoe said a lot of work had been done by Education Psychology team. There was a focus on outdoor learning – many children hadn’t had very much access to parks and open spaces and the council wanted to capitalise on the resources in borough (the river, parks, Fulham Palace etc.). Keith added that schools were delighted to have their children back and so far, they weren’t reporting huge gaps. Children were settling back in well. Jan Parnell added that specialist teachers were available to children and parents and officers were remaining vigilant but reports from the school community had been positive.

Councillor Sanderson asked what mental health support was available to teachers. Jan Parnell said additional counselling support had been provided for head teachers. And head teachers were reporting good returns to work from their teaching staff. Officers had also been holding weekly Teams calls with head teachers to support them through the pandemic period. The resilience of teacher and support staff remained a key issue for the team.

Councillor Sanderson asked why the ‘not known’ category of destinations for those leaving education had increased. Jan Parnell said the education team had recently reviewed their NEET (not in education, employment or training) contract. The provider gathered good data but wasn’t so good at following up so some of those elements were being brought back in-house so the team could get a better picture of the ‘not knowns’. Jan added that the council felt it was important to develop alternative pathways – not everyone wanted to go to university and there were many other opportunities available.

Councillor Sanderson asked if the council could track the progress and destinations of children educated at home. Jan Parnell said it wasn’t possible, but the council had lobbied the government to strengthen the requirements around home education.

Nandini Ganesh asked if the destination statistics included children and young people with special educational needs. Keith Tysoe said the figures included all young people. Nandini Ganesh asked if internships and apprenticeships counted as destinations. Jan Parnell said they did – destinations were recorded to ensure young people, including young people with special educational needs didn’t get ‘stuck’ without progressing. Nandini asked if educational placements for children with special educational needs would be rolled over given the disruption from the pandemic. Officers said they would raise the issue with Helen Green.

ACTION: Jan Parnell / Helen Green

Eleanor Allen asked for more information about the projects undertaken with Imperial College. Jan Parnell said the council was proud to have been involved in a number of research projects with Imperial College. She gave the example of a series of inspirational science lessons co-produced and delivered by young medics as part of the borough’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) agenda.

Councillor Larry Culhane (Cabinet Member for Children and Education) paid tribute to the school community in H&F for their hard work and dedication throughout the pandemic. He gave thanks to Jan Parnell and whole education team who had been ‘brilliant’ working with schools and the wider education community throughout the pandemic. The Chair echoed Councillor Culhane’s thanks to the education team.

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the report.