Issue - meetings

To report to the Scrutiny Committee on the performance of the Education Department.

A lunch break is planned for 12.30pm – 1.30pm

To accept the report and note the comments and to request further action on some of the comments in relation to the following areas:

·       Welsh Language and Language Centres

·       Learning environment for children with specific conditions

·       Type of buildings in terms of geographical locations plus transport costs

·       Child absences and inclusion along with children excluded from education and who are homeschooled

·       Data reliability where the database is small

·       Costs relating to access to education specifically for low-income families and children excluded from school

·       Appointment of Headteachers

·       Timeliness in the delivery of the Education Strategy.

The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Education, noting that the data spoke for itself. It was noted that there were successes to celebrate, plans to be developed and that he was looking forward to putting context on some improvement schemes in some fields.

During the discussion, the following observations were made: 

In terms of modernising buildings and learning settings, as physical disabilities were prioritised, it was asked how much planning was made for children's sensory needs, not only the rooms but in terms of colours on the walls, the lightbulbs used etc. An answer was given, noting that there were guidelines to follow when constructing new schools, it was explained that there was a need to ensure that Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision was part of the guidelines. It was explained when constructing schools, the department learned from one project to the other, and adaptations had been made in terms of retaining doors of a natural colour and looking at lights. The need to get more of the department's input when schools were designed was noted to consider these types of needs, and it was explained that the department used part of the ALN capital grant funding to look at this matter further and that they worked with Occupational Therapists.

Attention was drawn to the fact that, in addition to the modernising buildings and learning settings field, there were plans in Arfon and Dwyfor but there was no mention of plans in Meirionnydd. In response, it was noted that modernising education capital funding came in phases and that many schools in Meirionnydd had been developed during the last phase, highlighting plans to restructure schools in Bala, Tywyn and Dolgellau. By now, it was explained that they specifically focused on the Bangor area, and it would move to another area in Gwynedd during the next phase.

It was expressed, when looking at a plan to reduce the cost of sending children to school, the measures were red, and it was asked if children were permanently excluded, whether there was an acknowledgement of the additional cost for parents to move their children to another school - such as school uniform etc. It was noted that families could be supported with this, by diverting funding as there was a need to ensure that children were able to attend school.

It was also asked whether the department was confident that all costs, including the hidden ones, received attention. It was noted that the department was confident that they had given a lot of attention to the main matters and worked to address the problems. It was noted that the department would draw up a charter that would be a suggestion for schools when considering the costs of school trips and school uniform for example.

Many observations were made about attendance as it was a matter of national concern, and it was highlighted that there had been progress as the number of children missing school started to reduce. It was asked what  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8