Agenda item

Reconstitution of Governing Bodies/ & Instrument of Government Leathersellers Federation of Schools

The Chair stated that both items being considered were related, therefore both would be discussed together, this was agreed. The Executive Director, Children and Young People introduced the report. The Chair referred to the minutes of the last meeting wherein Panel Members requested information on diversity within the governing bodies at Lewisham schools, and asked whether progress had been made with reference to Leathersellers schools.

The Executive Director, Children and Young People said that officers collected this information automatically from schools that the Council clerks. She added that for other schools that are not community schools, this request would have to be handled delicately as they do not have to provide this information, and the request might not be welcomed.

The Executive Director, Children and Young People said that the returns from schools that the Council clerks have been very disappointing, and the data did not look good. She added that she could assure Panel Members that this work would be done, but she was unable to say when it would be done. The Chair said the future arrangements for Lewisham schools were changing, and as Members of a local authority their leadership role would be to ensure schools were effective, and such figures could provide some useful information.

Councillor Curran asked if the Council could request this information from schools that the Council did not clerk. The Executive Director for Children and Young People said the Council could not request anything from anyone. The Chair said that he was confident schools would see this as an important piece of work. The Executive Director for Children and Young People said it was unhelpful to examine individual governing body, albeit this was an important piece of work. The Chair said this issue was fundamental to improvement in schools.

Councillor Mallory said that it would be helpful to get this information. He added that it was important that the schools governing bodies reflect the community. He said as schools were part of the community, the community should be able to influence them. Councillor Mallory said it would be useful to have a global picture of Lewisham schools.

The Executive Director for Children and Young People said she would not want to report on an individual governing body, as she did not think this was appropriate. She said she would rather show some overarching figures, then set goals and aspiration levels. Officers would then keep an eye on progress. The Chair said he needed a specific figure showing distinctions. He added that there should be separate figures for Primary and Secondary schools. There should also be figures showing Leathersellers schools and other academies in comparison to community schools.

Councillor Morrison said that members would also need information on the diversity of staff, as schools seemed to be going through a cultural change. Councillor Morrison said that she had noticed in some of the schools most of their staff were female, whilst those who make the decisions were not. She added that she believed this was unfair.

The Executive Director for Children and Young People said that due process was always followed in recruitment. She added that there had always been gender issues in teaching, especially in primary schools. The Executive Director for Children and Young People said that staff diversity had always been a problem but in comparison to other boroughs Lewisham was doing well, and Members should be aware of this.

RESOLVED that

i.              the report be noted.

ii.            assurance had been given by the

          Executive Director for Children and Young

           People that Children and Young People

           Select Committee, and Education 

           Business Panel would receive information

           on diversity within governing bodies in all

                Lewisham schools.