Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr. Beca Brown

DECISION

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was presented, and the County's young people were congratulated on their GCSE and A level results, and it was added that exam grades was only one area of a person's ability. The hard work of the young people in the County over the exam period as well as that of the teachers was recognised and every single young person in the County was wished well on their next steps.

It was reported that the work of extending the childcare provision for two-year olds to new areas was almost complete, with 22 providers now offering Flying Start extended childcare. Attention was drawn to the fact that the admissions policy for Gwynedd schools would change from next September and that children attending Nursery class would be expected to be fully toilet-trained before they started.

Pride was expressed that the ALN&I service had managed to improve waiting times for counselling and noted that it was gratifying to see the work of adapting classes at Ysgol Pendalar continue. It was added that it was great to see Ysgol Treferthyr opening its doors at the beginning of the month and reference was also made to the exciting building modernisation taking place across Bangor Schools with several schools included.

School attendance levels were highlighted, and it was noted that the levels needed to improve. Concern was raised that attendance levels had not returned to what they had been before the pandemic. Reference was also made to the increase in the numbers of specific and permanent exclusions as a result of challenging behaviour within the schools and it was noted that this matter had been addressed over the past year. It was noted that a detailed survey had been commissioned in November/December 2023 on the Inclusion Service and recommendations had been made on how to strengthen provision.

It was noted that there was great pride in the appointment of Meirion Prys Jones as a freelance consultant to work with the Department to revisit the Education Language Policy and it was explained that the work of holding an evaluation of the Immersion System was currently underway.

In conclusion, there was acknowledgement of the challenges and pain experienced during the year in the wake of Neil Foden's crimes and that Council's thoughts remained with the victims. It was added that the Council had committed to co-operating fully with the independent review in line with Child Practice Review national guidance. Also, the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee's intention to conduct a scrutiny investigation into the safeguarding field was welcomed and the Education Department's willingness to co-operate fully with the investigation was noted.

Observations arising from the discussion

·       Members gave thanks for the report and were pleased that so much good news had been included.

·       It was asked what support was available for parents to toilet-train children before going to Nursery School, particularly children with additional needs. It was asked how rigid the rule was given the fact that Derwen had a waiting list for some of their services.

·       In response, the reasons for the change to the policy were explained which was to avoid diverting the attention of teachers and classroom assistants from the rest of the class while they spent time outside of class changing nappies. It was added that as part of looking at the early years area the emphasis was shifting to parents toilet-training. It was stressed that Schools would not turn children away if they had not been toilet-trained, but rather that the expectation would be conveyed from now on. It was noted that there would be a promotional campaign and training could be delivered in a timely manner with a view to making things easier for parents.

·       Pride was expressed that a detailed survey had been commissioned on additional learning needs and inclusion. Further questions were asked about this policy and whether children with neuro-developmental needs were included in this strategy. It was also noted that the exclusion figures were a concern.

·       In response it was noted that this strategy included a full range of children's needs and included children with neuro-developmental needs. It was explained in terms of the behavioural side that a report had been commissioned as well as a Project Group looking at this element over the summer term and had visited other Counties to see what provisions were available and what the best practice was. It was noted that, at present, the Department was modelling the support they would like to give but it was recognised that further investment was difficult under the current financial climate. It was noted that in the past more focus had been placed on more emotional rather than behavioural aspects and that there was a challenge in structuring the provision so that both aspects could be addressed.