Agenda item

To consider a report by the Senior Manager - Schools on the above.

 

(Copy enclosed)

The following were welcomed to the meeting for this item:

 

            Eifion Jones - Independent Advisor

            Arwel Pierce - Chair of Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn's Governing Body

            David Thorp - Deputy Headteacher of Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn

 

            Submitted the report of the independent expert on research work undertaken on Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn's budget and financial deficit. 

 

            The Forum was reminded to keep in mind that the work was a start on achieving elements of the P1 project in the Council's Plan, namely:

 

• Analysing the financial and curricular situation of secondary schools with low pupil numbers
• Identify the minimum staffing needs required in order to maintain a curriculum within secondary schools with low pupil numbers
• Suggest and cost where the staffing protection line should be for the Secondary Sector in order for the Council to use this information when setting the budget for 2018/19

 

 

(a)          The Independent Advisor took the opportunity to thank the school's Governors and staff for their cooperation whilst conducting the inspection and the fact that they were completely open and eager to move forward.  The background and context of the school's financial situation, the actions already implemented and the school's forecasts for 2017/18 onwards was elaborated upon. It was discovered that there were many reasons for the school's inability to set a balanced budget, such as:

 

·         A significant fall in pupil numbers over the years

·         Losing half of the money due to the reduction of pupil numbers - however, forecasts suggested slightly more pupils

·         The support level reducing

·         Financial protection arrangements with low pupil numbers

 

In a period of attempting to protect and raise educational standards, the school had taken great steps to keep the balance of the staff and the community's credibility, and at the same time recognise that there were other steps to be achieved.

 

In terms of actions, it was noted that the school had:

 

·         Reviewed the school's responsibilities and staffing level

·         Reduced the school's learning groups in the core subjects, whilst continuing to meet the statutory requirements of the KS3 and KS4 curriculum

·         Evaluated and restructured the TLR (Teaching and Learning Responsibilities) payments arrangements for the school's middle managers

·         Restructured the Senior Management Team

·         Reviewed and rationalised the level of funding in other areas of the budget

 

Alongside the above, the school had worked hard to maintain and raise standards whilst ensuring good progress.  Attention was drawn to the fact that use of the Welsh language in the curriculum was prioritised, with 95% of the pupils following a First Language Welsh course in KS3 and KS4 although a significant majority of them spoke English in the household.  It was further noted that the school had started to increase pupil numbers by ensuring that all Year 6 pupils in the catchment area would attend the school.  If the school had taken more drastic action in terms of cutting staff to create financial savings and by that means, had been able to set a balanced budget over the past three years, it would have hampered the good progress in the standards and the increased pupil numbers.

 

However, further savings needed to be realised in order to consistently set and implement a balanced budget for the future, and the Independent Advisor listed the annual main real budgetary changes for the next three years.  By doing this, it was anticipated that it would be possible to set and implement a tight and more realistic balanced budget for 2017/18 and more flexible balanced budgets over the following two years 2018-2020, that would be able to contribute towards the school's necessary development priorities.  However, it was noted that it would be difficult for the school to contribute towards the £116,000 cumulative historical deficit at the end of 2016/17.

 

Therefore, there were two matters for the authority to further consider, namely:

 

·         Historical lack of finance

·         Level of protection for small schools

 

(b)  The Chair of Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn's Governors reported that he would not want to see any other school in the same position as the past 4/5 years had been a nightmare.  The Independent Advisor had summarised the Governor's feelings and they were thankful to him for the support received.  It was further noted that the school was geographically isolated, however it was trusted that the situation would continue to improve in the future.  In terms of teaching groups of around 29 pupils in Year 8, there had been difficulties in coping with the ability range within the class, in addition to the range of linguistic backgrounds. 65 pupils would be starting in Year 7 this year, with three of them being Welsh speakers, therefore it was important to maintain the good work carried out at the school in terms of the Welsh language. The Forum was asked for its support for a unique case and to share with the Cabinet that the situation was an exception.  

 

(c)   The Acting Head of Education reiterated the support for the Welsh language and that it would be wrong to devalue the passion for the language in the area.

 

(d)  The Cabinet Member for Education thanked the Independent Advisor, the Governors and the school's staff for their ready cooperation, and that he was eager to hold further discussions with the Leadership Team in due course.   

 

(e)  During the ensuring discussion, the following main points were expressed by Forum members:

 

·         It was valuable to receive this type of report as many of the school leaders did not have any financial background, and more practical support was needed

·         Schools were being challenged and without the supporting budget, it was difficult to maintain educational standards

·         Reducing subjects in small schools was difficult, and pupils moved to other larger schools as a result

·         The importance of not cutting subjects was noted

·         Would it be possible for the authority to be proactive with other schools in regards to earlier long-term planning so that they did not get into financial difficulties?

·         Every school's situation was unique

 

(f)    In response to the above, it was noted that support was available to schools within the capacity and resources available in the Finance Unit.  It was added that every Headteacher was free to contact the Finance Manager and attention was drawn to the fact that financial surgeries were available for Headteachers.   

 

Resolved:       (a) To accept, note and thank the Independent Advisor for the report.

 

                                    (b) To ask the Cabinet Member for Education to further discuss support for the school with the Leadership Team.

 

                                    (c) That the Independent Advisor's report was confidential and therefore it would not appear on the Council's public website.