Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Legal and Business Operations which recommended that the Panel scrutinise the actions being undertaken to mitigate the impact of Covid-19, and subsequent Government guidance, on educational attainment for children and young people in Southampton.

Councillor Paffey, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning; and Derek Wiles, Head of Education and Learning, Southampton City Council, were present and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the Panel.

In discussions with the officers, the Panel noted the following:

·  Communications had been distributed to reassure parents that schools are safe for children to attend and will be maintained as safe places for children to learn.

·  Plans had been developed by all schools to support the mental and emotional health of students when they return to school.

·  Plans had been developed to provide additional tuition in school and access to online courses for students who needed additional support with education attainment.

RESOLVED that the issue of additional support to help reduce the attainment gap is included on the agenda for 1^st October meeting when the Panel undertake the customary scrutiny of educational attainment in the city.