Agenda item
Cyflwynwyd gan:Cllr. Cemlyn Williams
Decision:
To approve
and implement the vision of the “Immersion Education System towards 2032 and
beyond”, to invest £1.1 million of Welsh Government Welsh-medium education
capital funding to establish new immersion education sites in Tywyn and Bangor,
as well as improving existing facilities at Porthmadog, in accordance with the
report.
Minutes:
The
report was submitted by Cllr. Cemlyn Williams
DECISION
To
approve and implement the vision of the “Immersion Education System towards
2032 and beyond”, to invest £1.1 million of Welsh Government Welsh-medium
education capital funding to establish new immersion education sites in Tywyn and Bangor, as well as improving existing facilities
at Porthmadog, in accordance with the report.
DISCUSSION
The
report was presented and the pleasure of being able to submit the vision was
noted. It was explained that Language Centres had been in existence in Gwynedd
since the 1980's and at that time they were pioneering. It was emphasised that
the vision presented today was just as pioneering and built on the good work of
the Centres. Attention was drawn to a financial threat seen two years ago,
however, the pandemic period had afforded an opportunity to re-visit the
provision.
It
was explained that the Cabinet was today being asked to invest £1.1m to expand
the sites at Bangor and Tywyn. It was stressed that
the vision highlighted a contemporary and flexible provision. It was stated
that the proposed system had been presented to the Language Committee and to the Education and
Economy Scrutiny Committee and there was unanimous support. It was noted that a
meeting had taken place with the New Education Minister and he had identified
with the scheme and was anxious to spread the word about the good work
undertaken here in Gwynedd. It was emphasised that it was heartening that there
was support for the Plan.
The
Head of Education added that adding two new locations for the Language Centres
was very exciting. It was noted that last year had been successful and the
service had been re-purposed as it was not possible to have face-to-face
meetings. It was explained that re-purposing had ensured that more children had
received support and it was noted that this had highlighted that technology was
key in the future. Attention was drawn to the fact that the new model looked
similar to the Middle School model with year 5 to year 9 children being taught
together. It was also emphasised that the welfare of children was central and
the new model ensured that children attended their school for a day a week to
continue to develop a relationship with their peers.
The
Education Corporate Services Manager noted that the needs of children were
totally central to the system together with raising awareness of the importance
of Welsh-medium education. It was explained that the new system would work in
partnership with schools for joint provision. It was emphasised that the day in
school for pupils within the immersion system was an opportunity for pupils to
integrate back into the school following the immersion period. Everyone was thanked for participating in the
discussion including the learners themselves.
Observations
arising from the discussion:
¾
The department was thanked for
its work leading on this across Gwynedd and it was noted that if other counties
followed then the Government would need to fund them as the commitment was needed
in order to support the expenditure. It was asked what would happen in terms of
the staff, it was noted that more centres would mean the need for more staff
and therefore there would be an increase not a reduction.
¾
Concern was stated about the grants
that pay for the work as Gwynedd was the authority that received the highest
percentage of funding regionally, and it was explained that the funding should
be given specifically to the authority and not to the region.
¾
The investment was welcomed and
specifically in Bangor as the demographics were different to the rest of the
County. It was asked about the time in school and why one day a week - and if
this could be increased to two. It was explained that a balance was required
and if there were three days’ immersion and two days in school, then this would
not be sufficient time for immersion. It was also explained that the course had
been shortened.
¾
In terms of funding the system, it was noted that there were three
sources of funding, and it was asked if a discussion had taken place with
schools to take ownership and contribute to the system. It was noted that a
discussion had taken place in the Schools' Budget Forum and Headteachers'
Forum and there was support as the sum was not high and there would not be a
major impact on individual schools.
¾
It was asked if specific
locations had been determined for the new sites in
Tywyn and Bangor. It was noted
that a location had been identified at the Ysgol
Tywyn site and a discussion was on-going with Bangor Schools. It was explained that there was a location within the main Ysgol Eifionydd building
for the developments in Porthmadog and this would ensure
that immersion education would be more of a part of the school rather than a cabin on the outskirts.
Awdur:Debbie Anne Williams Jones
Supporting documents:
- Item 9 - immersion education, item 9. PDF 264 KB
- Item 9 - Appendix 1, item 9. PDF 3 MB
- Item 9 - Appendix 2, item 9. PDF 628 KB
- Item 9 - Equality Impact Assessment FINAL, item 9. PDF 738 KB