Agenda item

The Gwynedd Schools Strategy 2026 - 2036 (Appendix 1) was approved, and authority was delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, in consultation with the Head of Education, to make insignificant and editorial changes to the Strategy prior to its formal publication, provided that those changes do not materially affect the content, strategic direction, priorities or financial implications of the Strategy.

The report was presented by Cllr Dewi Jones.

DECISION

The Gwynedd Schools Strategy 2026 - 2036 (Appendix 1) was approved, and authority was delegated to the Cabinet Member for Education, in consultation with the Head of Education, to make insignificant and editorial changes to the Strategy prior to its formal publication, provided that those changes do not materially affect the content, strategic direction, priorities or financial implications of the Strategy.

DISCUSSION

It was explained that the previous Strategy had ended and that it was crucial that another strategy was put in place for the next decade.

It was highlighted that lengthy discussions had been held in relation to the Strategy, and that the views of the sector, the education workforce and the County Children and Young People's Forum had also been sought. 

The importance of this Strategy was emphasised to highlight the Council's vision and ambition for the next decade. The document outlined the challenges facing the County, and the importance of the Authority and the public being aware and alert to those challenges was noted.

The Chair of the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee was welcomed to the meeting to present the Committee's recommendations. The Strategy was identified as being a key document to inform the direction of education in the County and it was explained that the Committee believed that some elements of the Strategy needed to be reinforced before moving forward. It was reported that the well-being and safeguarding of children and young people needed to be more clearly incorporated into the document, and that there was a call to ensure that the child's voice was central to planning. Amendments had been made to the document in light of these recommendations, which were welcomed. In reference to inequality, it was noted that there was a lack of clear measures to assess the impact of strategic decisions on the most vulnerable learners. It was also explained that the Committee had discussed the persistent difficulties with recruiting and retaining the workforce, adding that more emphasis was needed on workforce planning to ensure long-term sustainability.

The further recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee, as noted in the report, were then explained.

It was confirmed that all recommendations made by the Scrutiny Committee had been addressed in the report.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       When referring to the change in the area's demographics, it was asked whether this Strategy provided a solution to the challenge of recruiting and planning the workforce. In response, it was noted that this Strategy did not cover all aspects of the area and that several other strategies and procedures covered those aspects. References were made to other challenges such as language medium, the need for teachers to teach several subjects, and a number of young people in the County moving away. There was acknowledgement that these challenges were not unique to Gwynedd, and that they received ongoing attention in the Strategy.

·       There was disappointment and disbelief that a total of only 19 responses had been received to the electronic questionnaire, despite having been open for 8 weeks. Officers shared this disappointment, noting perhaps that it reflected the fact that it had already been discussed widely with schools. It was revealed that a number had started but had not submitted the questionnaire.

·       It was noted that it was good that the Department had engaged with the Children and Young People's Forum and the discussion that had taken place at the session was explained. It was emphasised that there was a strong opinion that the Welsh language should be a fundamental part and a priority in all the Council's procedures.

·       It was asked whether there was an intention to conduct further consultation and engagement, following the lack of response to the electronic questionnaire. It was pointed out that people had been given a fair opportunity to voice their opinions and that no further engagement was planned.

·       It was asked how the success of this Strategy would be measured, and how it would be reviewed over time. Reference was made to realising the aim for children in the County to reach their full potential, and that pupils received the best education and support. It was added that schools would not be identical but it was confirmed that there would be no difference in the standards and opportunities young people received.

·       A question was asked about how the improvement in pupils' emotional well-being and general well-being would be measured. In response, it was noted that a number of schools did this in the form of several questionnaires. It was added that pupils' attendance and attainment were also being used as indicators.

·       It was noted that discussions were ongoing regarding measuring pupils' well-being, and the role of governors in schools to discuss this was mentioned. The importance of discussing and measuring well-being at both an individual school level and at a county level was highlighted.

·       Reference was made to the discussion at the Children and Young People's Forum, stating that the intention was to convene the local forums in one county forum. The importance of this being sustainable and embedded into the Council's work was identified.