Agenda item

Presentation given by Debbie A W Jones (Education Corporate Services Officer).

A report on behalf of Councillor Cemlyn Rees Williams (Cabinet Member).

Consultation Draft - Welsh in Education Strategic Plans Reugulations (Wales) 2019 and guidance.

The purpose is to share information and consider the observations of members as part of the process of creating a formal response to the consultation.

*10:10 – 10:50

(approximation)

A presentation was given by the Education Corporate Services Officer on the Draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plans Regulations (Wales) 2019 and guidance (WESP) consultation.

Members were asked to submit any observations to be included as part of Gwynedd's formal response to the consultation.  It was noted that a response to the consultation was required by the beginning of September 2019.

Observations by Members:

·         An interesting presentation.

·         Concern was noted as to why we were not already developing Welsh-medium education.

·         The introduction of the factor to delete the measuring of demand was welcomed.

·         Questions were raised as to where the Language Centres and the Language Charter were included in the consultation.

·         Questions were raised as to whether this consultation referred to Welsh-medium education or bilingual education.

·         A question was raised as to the meaning of "Welsh-language immersion".

·         Disappointment was noted regarding the fact that there was no mention of additional resources to support this consultation.

·         It was noted that there was a need for the consultation to address the language of play at school and after-school events.  There was also room to ensure that governors and friends of the school played a role.

·         It was suggested that there was an opportunity to establish Welsh language champions.

·         Concern was noted regarding the number of Welsh speakers in Gwynedd, and also regarding the progress of education through the medium of Welsh in Wales.

·         In addition, the need for Welsh-speaking workforce and teachers providing education through the medium of Welsh was raised.

The Education Corporate Services Officer expanded upon the observations.  She confirmed that the consultation was currently in draft form and that anyone was welcome to give their feedback on the consultation by the beginning of September 2019.

She elaborated on specific points.

·         The Language Centres were addressed under outcomes, progression and immersion. 

·         WESP and the new regulations did not change Gwynedd's Language Policy.

·         There was no specific definition of educational immersion. Immersion happened in different ways across the counties of Wales.  In Gwynedd, the foundation phase was considered, as children between three and seven years of age were immersed through the medium of Welsh. Children between seven and 14 years of age gained access to language centres in order to be immersed in the Welsh language so that they were able to cope at mainstream schools.

·         WESP in its entirety, along with Welsh Government, set all statutory duties for local authorities relating to this field.  It was important to think about those who were responsible for staff recruitment at Gwynedd schools, namely Governors. This raised the point that work was needed to equip Governors, such as raising awareness of the expectations.

·         In terms of informal use of the Welsh language outside of school hours, it was possible to draw up guidance as to how someone would encourage the use of language partnership, which was a new element to the WESP guidance dialogue regarding working in partnership with organisations around schools and within communities.  There was therefore a need to think of resources for working in partnership with Menter Iaith, the Urdd, Young Farmers' Clubs and other organisations. A concern facing schools and a question raised was whether these organisations would put pressure on the schools financially and in terms of resources. There was a need to think about what these organisation were able to contribute and who would co-ordinate the work.

·         Detailed work on the consultation would begin in Gwynedd from September 2019 onwards. As the timetable was restrictive in terms of the time available to receive observations, the Education department had requested an extension. However, no response had been received thus far.

·         In response to the observation regarding the seven outcomes, the question which raised concern was where Wales would recruit teachers to provide education through the medium of Welsh.  The challenge was to increase the teaching of the language within schools. This was the picture faced in terms of the Wales-wide vision; however, at present, this was not relevant to Gwynedd.

A link was attached to the consultation for information, and in order to submit observations: https://llyw.cymru/sites/default/files/consultations/2019-05/dogfen-ymgynghori-rheoliadau-cynlluniau-strategol-cymraeg-mewn-addysg-cymru-2019-ar-canllawiau-drafft_0.pdf

The information and the report were ACCEPTED and it was noted that this was a major step in the right direction.