Agenda item

(a)       That the content of the self-evaluation be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee congratulates the department on the comprehensive nature of the report, and the breadth and overview and value of the service provided.

The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) advised that the Council undertook an annual self-evaluation against the framework for the inspections of Local Government Education Services published by Estyn.  The report provided an overview of that self-evaluation and highlights key strengths and reasons for development in the current provision for education services. 

The Chief Officer presented the report and referred to the key considerations.  She explained that the new framework for local authority inspections on education services was introduced in 2018 following a pilot period and focussed on outcomes; quality of education services, leadership and management.  The Chief Officer advised that all local authority Education Services in Wales would be inspected by 2022 and would be given 10 weeks’ notice of an inspection. The Authority had received notification that it would be inspected by a team of Estyn and WAO inspectors during 3-7 June 2019.  A two day preliminary visit would take place 22 and 23 May.  The Chief Officer explained that the self-evaluation report produced by the Authority would be the key document used by the inspectors to inform their lines of enquiry and judgements during the visit, supported by analysis of a range of data, and interviews with senior officers and key stakeholders.  The Chief Officer drew attention to the five local questions, as detailed in the report, which would be scrutinised in addition to the general inspection framework. 

In summary the Chief Officer said the report on Flintshire’s Education Services would be published on 9 August 2019.  She commented on the high standards achieved in Flintshire schools and said the outcomes for learners were well above the national average and some of the best in the region.

Councillor Kevin Hughes congratulated the Chief Officer and her team, and schools, for their dedicated work to continue to improve educational standards.  He also paid tribute to the excellent work of Claire Sinnott, Learning Advisor, Health, Wellbeing   undertaken to ensure young people were safeguarded and whilst the Authority worked constructively with parents it was a challenge if officers were refused access into a parental home where children were home schooled.  The Chief Officer advised that there was currently a review of national policy around this issue taking place. 

In response to the comments made by Mr David Hytch concerning the impact and challenges faced by schools due to lack of funding, the Chief Officer explained that investment in education had remained a priority for the Council despite continuing financial austerity, however, she would not mitigate the impact of poor funding on the quality of education services but reiterated the high standards and good performance which had been achieved in Flintshire schools in the face of limited resources.   

The Committee congratulated the Chief Officer on a comprehensive report and the breadth, overview, and value of the service provided.  The Chief Officer said she would pass on the Committee’s comments to her team.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the content of the self-evaluation be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee congratulates the department on the comprehensive nature of the report, and the breadth and overview and value of the service provided.