Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng / Cllr Gareth Thomas
Decision:
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.
Minutes:
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.
Awdur:Iwan Trefor Jones
Supporting documents: