Agenda item

To present the Quarter 3 Monitoring Report – GwE Regional Business Plan 2022-2023 to the Joint Committee.

·       To approve and accept the monitoring report for quarter 3.

·       Further discussion on the 'Strategy to support parents' involvement in the community' within Objective 4 of the plan: 'Strong and Inclusive Schools, at a future Joint Committee meeting.

The report was submitted by the Managing Director of GwE. Attention was drawn to the following points:

-      It was explained that this relevant period (October – December 2022) had been a very busy period with many schools witnessing some normality returning following the Covid-19 period.

-      It was noted that new procedures had been enforced to ensure that schools reviewed performance and self-assessed accountability.

-      Reference was made to an important conference held across the region, which focused on reintroducing systems to bridge primary and secondary education.

-      It was confirmed that one of the main risks recently was leadership succession on all levels in the system. It was noted that a quarter of secondary school headteachers in North Wales had retired within the past year. It was also noted that there was currently a shortage of supply teachers and schools had difficulty releasing teachers to attend key training.

-      It was emphasised that GwE's relationship with schools was very good despite these staffing issues.

Members of the Joint Committee were given an opportunity to share observations and ask questions:

-      Details were provided about the 'Strategy to support parents' involvement in the community' within Objective 4 of the plan: 'Strong and Inclusive Schools' enquiring what work was being undertaken to ensure developments within the strategy.

o   In response to the query, GwE's Managing Director confirmed that there was close collaboration between GwE, parents and learners to ensure that materials were available to them. It was elaborated that work was being carried out with the Welsh Government in an attempt to see how this collaboration would happen socially as it was not yet clear. It was emphasised that good work was being undertaken in schools on an individual level to develop this strategy, but a clear plan was needed for the future on how to implement it on a community and regional level.

-      It was proposed that a further discussion was held on the strategy by GwE's Management Board to share good practices and ideas and to ensure that the plan and strategy were strong and effective.

o   In response to this proposal, GwE's Managing Director confirmed that it would be possible to discuss this matter further by the summer period as clearer policies would be available at that time for consideration.

-      It was agreed that inequality and attendance were key matters following the Covid period.  The safety of children was another factor.

-      It was elaborated that one obstacle in terms of planning this strategy was that the budget from the Welsh Government was for a fixed period. It was believed that this caused recruitment difficulties as it was not possible to plan for the long term.

-      It was noted that strong measures were needed to protect leaders and it was mentioned that the young workforce were also leaving their posts due to work pressures. It was noted that misconceptions were being shared about careers in the teaching field and that the mindset needed to change.

Gratitude was expressed for the report.

RESOLVED

·       To approve and accept the monitoring report for quarter 3.

·       Further discussion on the 'Strategy to support parents' involvement in the community' within Objective 4 of the plan: 'Strong and Inclusive Schools' at a future Joint Committee meeting.