Decision details

5.1      Angela Scattergood – Director of Education introduced the report and invited the Committee to input into the Strategy. She explained that the next step would be to consult the Young Mayor and Advisors, as well as Lewisham Parents and Carers group.

5.2      The committee heard that the Education Strategy was an overarching strategy with several, more detailed, strategies sitting beneath it, including the SEND and EYFS strategies. A Black Caribbean Achievement Strategy would be generated in the new year.

5.3      A discussion followed during which it was noted:

1.    Anecdotally, Members were hearing more positive noises about Lewisham’s secondary schools. Everything should be done to encourage prospective parents to go and look at Lewisham schools, and parents of children in Year 4 should be targeted. Secondary schools should focus on the nearest primary schools to make links.

2.    A Parent Champion Network could be useful in promoting both primary and secondary schools, based on the success of Early Years Parent Champions.

3.    ParentENGage and Lewisham Education Group were also useful resources to help promote Lewisham’s schools.

4.    Primary heads need to support secondary colleagues and give a more positive message about the borough’s secondary schools.

5.    One Member, citing a review by Southwark Council on parents’ moral obligation to support their children’s education, felt better partnership working with parents was needed to support home learning.

6.    Officers were carrying out a provider audit looking at sufficiency of childcare, including Early Years as well as holiday clubs etc.

7.    The new Ofsted inspection framework considered teacher workload. In the 7-8 inspections in Lewisham schools since the new framework came into force, inspectors had seen good practice examples of marking and homework practices. Managing workload was high on the agenda.

5.4      It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.