The Barnet Children's Partnership Board met to discuss education standards in the borough, the council's culture strategy, and feedback from Ofsted visits. The board also received updates from Freddie, Youth Member of Parliament for Barnet, and discussed the forward work programme and action tracker.

Education Standards

Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS), presented the report on education standards, highlighting that Barnet schools were in the top 10% for reading, maths and writing at the end of Key Stage 2¹. He noted the difficulty in comparing Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) to national PRUs, and that attendance in PRUs was low. An action plan is in place to support schools in addressing gaps in improvement levels. The board raised questions about Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision and encouraging schools to offer vocational routes of education.

Two actions resulted from this discussion:

• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS), will send the results for looked after children as a supplementary report to the Board.
• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS), will investigate the difference in gender in science classes.

Culture Strategy

Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, introduced the culture strategy, mentioning the postcard project designed to highlight Barnet as a welcoming borough. As part of London Borough of Culture, youth groups are sharing their experiences of arts and culture in the borough. Deighton said that she would aim to make the roster of activities more visible for younger people. Officers confirmed that they were developing a heritage strategy and a youth strategy.

Three actions resulted from this discussion:

• Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, will speak to Jalpa Patel regarding the needs assessment for the development of the Youth Strategy.
• Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, will contact Lisa Coffman, Treasurer and Co-ordinator, Barnet Parent Carers Forum, to hear more about the arts and culture events occurring.
• Rebekka Deighton, Public Art and Culture Officer, will send Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS), her contact details for him to pass on to schools, both primary and secondary.

Feedback from Ofsted Visits

Chris Spencer, Chair, introduced the item and discussed the Ofsted letter following the annual conversation with the regulator. It was confirmed to be ready for the next meeting.

One action resulted from this discussion:

• Farah Hussain, Governance Officer, will distribute the SEND letter to the Board.

My Say Matters

Freddie, Youth Member of Parliament for Barnet, provided an update, stating that he had passed the manifesto on diversifying the curriculum. He had spoken to teachers in Barnet under local authority supervision about things to put in place to foster constructive conversations on current affairs. Freddie also mentioned that he passed a youth assembly motion on the finance and budget position, and interviewed Chris Spencer, Chair, and Councillor Simon Radford, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability. Connor, Youth Member of Parliament for Barnet took part in a debate in the House of Commons.

Two actions resulted from this discussion:

• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS), will put Freddie in touch with teachers who lead PSHE training.
• Neil Marlow, Director of School Improvement and Traded Services (BELS), will send an email in his Monday communication about Freddie attending SSPB and Connor delivering a speech in the House of Commons.

Other Business

Chris Spencer, Chair, provided an update on the appointments process for permanent Director for Children’s Services and other key appointments.