Issue - meetings

To scrutinize the action plan in response to recommendations arising from the evaluation and the Estyn review.

DECISION

1.     Accept the report and note the observations.

2.     Ask the Cabinet Member for Education to:

·       lobby the Welsh Government further for additional financial resources.

·       further consider the option of returning to five days and/or consider the length of the period spent in the language centres, taking into account the well-being of the pupils.

·       hold further consultation with stakeholders and ensure that there is flexibility in the future provision.

3.     That the Scrutiny Committee extends its gratitude to all those involved in immersion, both in the language centres and within mainstream schools.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Education. It was noted that the Immersion Education System had been the subject of discussion on numerous previous occasions by the Committee, and that continued interest in the field was welcomed as it was a vital one for the county. It was emphasised that Gwynedd had a unique opportunity as a county to ensure that children arriving late to the area had the opportunity to develop a vital skill, namely the Welsh language. It was noted that the Welsh language was important to everyone in Gwynedd and opened doors in terms of employment and cultural opportunities. It was emphasised that this was essential that, in a county where the majority spoke Welsh, all children were able to take full advantage of everything available to them.

It was noted that two reports had been published since the field was last discussed, namely a report from Bangor University and a report from Estyn. It was emphasised that the previous immersion system had not been inspected by Estyn, but that the system was now registered as an educational entity and therefore received a full Estyn inspection like the schools. The report by Estyn was noted to be very positive, recognising that Gwynedd had an innovative immersion system.

Appreciation was expressed to the staff of the department for their hard work, and in particular to Rhys Meredydd Glyn, the former Head of the Immersion Education System.

During the discussion, the following observations were made: 

The level of detail of Estyn's inspection of the Immersion Centres was questioned. It was noted that Bangor University's report contradicted the Estyn report and made specific recommendations, such as reconsidering the current four-day model and returning to a five-day model, noting that the four-day model contained shortcomings such as the contact on the fifth day between the immersion centre and the teachers in the schools. It was questioned whether the Department would be prepared to consider Bangor University's recommendations.

In response, it was noted that the Estyn inspection had included extensive fieldwork compared to Bangor University's inspection, with three inspectors over three days in each of the six immersion centres and in schools, including interviews with pupils and staff. It was noted that Bangor University's report had used different criteria to Estyn, including methods used in assessing adult immersion.

It was stressed that the comments in both reports were valid and that the recommendations had been accepted by both organisations. It was elaborated that work was already underway to respond to several of the recommendations, with centre staff now starting to work alongside pupils in the classroom, rather than taking them out of class as under the old system. It was further noted that additional resources were being offered to respond to the recommendations, and that a website was being developed to provide a snapshot of what was being achieved within the immersion centres.

It was noted that the recommendations regarding the number of days in the immersion centres had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6