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Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Tuesday 18th March, 2025 7.00 pm

March 18, 2025 View on council website  Watch video of meeting  Watch video of meeting or read trancript
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Summary

The Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-committee met to discuss education standards, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and family services in Barnet. The committee noted the validated results for school performance in Barnet for the academic year 2023/24, and also the recommendations laid out in the SEND update. The committee also agreed to commission the fostering task and finish group.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

  • Faith School Overviews

    • Co-opted members representing faith groups presented briefings on Church of England, Catholic, and Jewish schools in Barnet.
    • Nigel Wildish from the Church of England noted that their schools focus on a love of learning and moral background, teaching Christian faith alongside other faiths and British values.
    • Anne O'Shea spoke about Catholic schools, highlighting their excellent Ofsted ratings and pupil outcomes.
    • Raisel Freedman discussed the high performance of Jewish schools and the increasing demand for places due to rising anti-Semitism.
    • Councillors asked about the inclusion of children not of a particular faith in faith schools.
    • Councillor Anne Hutton asked if a religious organisation wanted to set up a school, how they would register it.
    • It was noted that Barnet Hill Academy, a Muslim independent school, had previously applied to become state-funded.
  • Education Standards in Barnet 2023/24

    • Neil Marlow, Chief Executive and Director of Education and Learning, Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS), presented the report, highlighting the strong education system in Barnet and the excellent outcomes for young people.
    • Key points included:
      • 96% of schools are rated 'good' or 'outstanding'.
      • Primary and secondary attendance is in the top 10% nationally.
      • GCSE results are strong, with Barnet ranking fourth in the country for Attainment 8[^2]. [^2]: Attainment 8 measures the achievement of a pupil across 8 qualifications.
    • Priorities for improvement include:
      • Raising attendance in pupil referral units.
      • Improving vocational results at Key Stage 5.
      • Expanding progress and progression pathways at Key Stages 4 and 5.
      • Addressing the achievement gap for disadvantaged pupils.
    • Councillor Sue Baker requested data on gender and achievement, as well as a breakdown of achievement rates for pupils with special educational needs (SEM).
    • Councillor Anne Hutton asked about the new Ofsted report cards and the mix of A-levels and vocational qualifications.
    • Councillor David Longstaff asked about the impact of changes to Ofsted ratings and the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
    • Councillor Liron Woodcock-Vellerman sought clarity on whether the report referred to pupils residing in Barnet or Barnet schools.
    • Rizal Freedman asked about strategies to encourage more staff to join Barnet schools.
  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Update

    • Kim Miller, Interim Director SEND and Inclusion, provided an update on SEND and alternative provision, referencing the Public Accounts Committee report.
    • Barnet achieves 100% compliance with the 20-week statutory deadline for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)[^3]. [^3]: An EHCP is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.
    • The council anticipates a £3.8 million overspend on the high-needs budget.
    • Challenges remain in waiting times for diagnoses and therapies.
    • Councillor Paul Lemon asked about meeting the 20-week target and the pressures on finances.
    • Councillor Anne O'Shea raised concerns about waiting times for autism and ADHD diagnoses.
  • Family Services Quarterly Update

    • Chris Spencer, Interim Executive Director Children’s and Family Services, presented the quarterly update, covering the Ofsted Action Plan and family services progress.
    • Ofsted is satisfied with the council's self-evaluation and progress on the Action Plan.
    • The report highlighted work on early health, the LADO[^4] process, safeguarding strategy, and transition work for care-experienced young people. [^4]: LADO stands for Local Authority Designated Officer, who manages allegations against people who work with children.
    • Councillor David Longstaff questioned the substantial reduction in cases requiring panel reviews in early health support.
    • Councillor Anne Hutton asked for an update on the children's residential homes.
    • Councillor Liron Woodcock-Vellerman asked about dental checks and recording issues.
    • Tamzin Arora asked about referrals into the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) during the summer holidays.
    • Councillor Paul Lemon asked about the return home interviews and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Chief Finance Officer Report

    • Sharon Palmer provided an overview of the Quarter 3 financial position, focusing on the Children and Families Department.
    • Councillor David Longstaff asked about ceasing the use of external providers for contact.
    • Rizal Freedman asked about government grants for the high-needs overspend.
  • Task and Finish Group Updates

    • The committee reviewed the task and finish group updates.
    • The committee agreed to commission the fostering task and finish group.
  • Cabinet Forward Plan

    • The subcommittee considered the cabinet forward plan and requested that the kinship care policy and the Barnet Homes delivery plan be brought to this committee first.
  • Scrutiny Work Programme

    • The committee noted the work programme.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Giulia Monasterio
Councillor Giulia Monasterio  Labour •  Brunswick Park
Profile image for Councillor David Longstaff
Councillor David Longstaff  Conservative •  Barnet Vale
Profile image for Councillor Sue Baker
Councillor Sue Baker  Labour •  Barnet Vale
Profile image for Councillor Joshua Conway
Councillor Joshua Conway  Conservative •  Hendon
Profile image for Councillor Anne Hutton
Councillor Anne Hutton  Labour •  Woodhouse
Profile image for Councillor Paul Lemon
Councillor Paul Lemon  Labour •  Brunswick Park
Profile image for Councillor Michael Mire
Councillor Michael Mire  Conservative •  Garden Suburb
Profile image for Councillor Liron Woodcock-Velleman
Councillor Liron Woodcock-Velleman  Labour •  Whetstone
Tamzin Arora
Naomi Phillips
Raisel Freedman Jewish Faith
Anne O'Shea Roman Catholic Church
Nigel Wildish Church of England
Stella Akintan
Profile image for Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb
Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb  Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet •  Labour •  Friern Barnet

Meeting Documents

Additional Documents