Issue - meetings

To submit the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group in relation to the wording of the draft policy.

•              To note the output of the work of the Task and Finish Group but there was no consensus on all the recommended modifications;

•             To ask the Cabinet Member for Education to consider the range of comments submitted by the Scrutiny Members when drawing up the final policy.

Following a discussion on the Draft Education Language Policy at the Committee meeting on 10 April 2025, it was resolved to form a task and finish group to discuss the wording of the draft policy.

Councillor Rhys Tudur, Chair of the Task and Finish Group, presented the changes suggested by the Task and Finish Group. It was noted that many of the recommendations were amendments to refine the policy, but some were more significant.

The main points were as follows:

1.     The need to note that it is the school's decision to determine which cross-curricular subjects are taught in English was expressed. It was noted that this would make it clearer. 

2.     It should be noted in the policy that extra-curricular activities are held through the medium of Welsh if resources were available. 

3.     It was recommended to use the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill 2025's definition of a Welsh School instead of what was noted in the current statutory guidelines, and in doing so, be proactive to comply with the new legislation.

4.     It was noted that the policy should express the percentage of Welsh provision for all pupils.

5.     The need for schools to provide details on their progress plans was highlighted. 

6.     It was also asked what the expectation of the policy with Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn and Ysgol Friars would be, as they acted as English schools to an extent - it was asked whether there would be a different policy or different treatment as the objectives would be for the whole county.

It was expressed that observations had been received by the Education Department in response to the recommended changes, but they had highlighted challenges and not responses to the recommendations. 

Further observations were received from the Task and Finish Group members, expressing their disappointment in the department's responses, specifically with changing the wording in a definition in the Education Bill instead of the guidelines as it would be an Act following receiving Royal Assent, and the need to move forward to comply with the act was expressed.

It was also expressed that the Task and Finish Group believed that the policy had to be robust and with an element of aspiration, especially when looking at the language shift within the county. It was noted that the group had attempted to tighten the draft policy.

The department had an opportunity to respond, and the Monitoring Officer expressed, in terms of the act, that it was in the process of obtaining Royal Assent but it was not currently in force. He added that there would be a timetable from the Government for elements of it to come into power and it would be approximately 4-5 years before this happened. It was explained that there would be a transitional period whilst the statutory procedure of the act was put in place.

The Head of Education added that the department believed that the draft policy showed a commitment to the Welsh language and the need to increase the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7