Agenda item - Poverty Proofing the School Day update

Report of the Executive Director Families, Children & Learning (copy attached).

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

(1)  Supported the proposed method for the introduction of Poverty-Proofing the school day

(2)  Were kept involved and informed of the progress of the initiative through regular reports.

80.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Families, Children & Learning, which outlined the proposals to address the Fairness Commission’s recommendation that the council, working with the schools, should bring to the city the ‘Poverty-proofing the school day’ initiative to ensure no child missed out on the opportunities and experiences at school because of low family income. The report was introduced by the Senior Adviser – Education Partnerships. 

80.2    Councillor Brown was concerned that only 13 schools engaged in the initiative, and felt that with the current budget pressures that the money could be better spent elsewhere.

80.3    Councillor Daniel supported the initiative, and said that children were affected by coming from a low income family and the suggested scheme supported schools to address the areas of concern.

80.4    Ms A Holt said that the cost of the scheme was comparatively low and the benefits could help many children, and she would therefore support the proposals.

80.5    Councillor Taylor said that whilst ‘poverty-proofing’ was a good idea, he said that Head Teachers and School Governors already did a great deal of work on this area, and did not feel that the cost of initiative was necessary.

80.6    Councillor Phillips said she supported the proposal, and whilst it wasn’t possible to poverty proof the school day, it would help alleviate some of the symptoms of poverty.

80.7    Councillor Cattell said that cost of initiative was relatively low for a scheme which could help many pupils, and was surprised that there was complete support for it and noted that the proposal had already been agreed by another Committee.

80.8    Josh Cliff said that when he was at primary school he had been on Pupil Premium, and understood the impact of coming from a low income family and so supported the proposal.

80.9    Councillor Phillips suggested two amendments to the recommendations.

Recommendation 2.1 to read ‘That the Committee supports the proposed method for the introduction of ‘Poverty-proofing’ the School Day’.

Recommendation 2.2 to read ‘That the Committee is kept involved and informed of the progress of the initiative through regular reports’.

Councillor Daniel seconded the amendments.

80.10  The proposed amendments were agreed.

80.11  The Executive Director Families, Children & Learning said that an update report would come back to the Committee next year.

80.12  RESOLVED: That the Committee:

(1)  Supported the proposed method for the introduction of ‘Poverty-Proofing’ the school day

(2)  Were kept involved and informed of the progress of the initiative through regular reports.