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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: