Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report as well as approving to re-profile the delivery of £263,000 of the "Additional School Savings” plan, which was to realise £4.3m in savings during the 2015/16 to 2018/19 period by slipping £65,000 to be realised in 2021/22 and £198,000 to be realised in 2020/21.

The item was submitted by Cllr Gareth Thomas

RESOLVED

To accept and note the information in the report as well as approve and re-profile the delivery of £263,000 of the "Schools' Additional Savings" scheme, which was to realise £4.3m in savings in the 2015/16 to 2018/19 period, by slipping £65,000 to be realised in 2021/22 and £198,000 to be realised in 2020/21.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that the Cabinet Member was comfortable with performance on the whole, but some fields needed more work. The Member guided everyone through the report, highlighting some matters. It was noted that, when looking at Improving and Standardising Education Standards in the Foundation Phase, the summer 2018 results had been static for the third year and Gwynedd had been placed in 15th place nationally. He expressed that Gwynedd should be in fourth or fifth place, and therefore the results were disappointing. The Department had commissioned GwE to consider the situation.

By looking at the Programme for a Network of Viable Schools for the Future: Bangor Project, it was noted that the discussions had been held with the area's Headteachers, governors and councillors to discuss options. By now, the favoured option had been identified at the Catchment Area Review Committee, and it would be presented at the Cabinet in February.

The summer results were discussed, noting that the performance of Key Stage 4 and GCSE results were disappointing this year as there had been a fall in the performance. However, it was emphasised that these results reflected the fall nationally. The main reason for the fall was the changes to the examining system and the specification for subjects such as Mathematics and English that had significantly impacted the GCSE results for Wales.

It was noted that the expected savings that would derive from re-organisation schemes would be delivered later than expected, but rather than asking the schools to face the burden in the meantime, it was noted that it would be more sensible to re-profile the expected saving.

Observations arising from the discussion

-    It was noted that Improving and Standardising Education Standards provided a foundation for the Department and was one of the main projects. The result was specifically low in the Foundation Phase and it was asked when a report would be submitted to the Cabinet to ensure that the standard of education would improve. It was expressed that the department had commissioned GwE to look at the matter but there had been some delay with doing the work. In addition, it was noted that when looking at the standards of the Foundation Phase, the results were lower as a result of Language. The teaching was through the medium of Welsh and many of the children came from non-Welsh speaking homes and may not have had a grasp of the language by the time they were seven years old. However, by looking at the standards of 11 year old children, the levels were much higher because they had had a grasp of the language by this age.

-    It was asked whether the reason that some schools had not reached the standards was a lack of clear leadership. It was expressed that there was a Performance and Management Improvement Plan to develop good leaders but a lack of numbers applying for the jobs was also emphasised. The Department was working closer with colleges in order to develop future leaders. It was noted that it was a challenge but that the project was now much more specific, and hopefully it would be possible to report back to the Cabinet in March.

-    It was expressed that early reviews of Ysgol Bro Idris were positive but it was asked when assessing concerns in the process of creating the All-through Catchment Area School would take place. It was emphasised that this school was innovative and that there were definitely lessons to be learnt, and work had been commissioned in order to specifically look at the development phase.

-    The Bala Learning Campus was discussed, emphasising the community resources. It was noted that there was concern in the community in Bala that these community resources were outside the Education Department's usual work and it was asked whether the Economy and Community Department had any input. It was noted that relevant officers from the Department were on the Project Board which gave much attention to the community element.