Issue - meetings

(a)      That the report be noted;

(b)       That the Director provides a report on post-16 outcomes; and  

(c)        That the Director provides data on the number of students who start A level courses and then “drop out”. 

The Director of Lifelong Learning introduced the 2013/14 Mid Year Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to the Committee for the period October to December 2013.  He provided background information and advised that the Improvement Plan Monitoring Report explained the progress being made towards delivery of the impacts set out in the Improvement Plan.  Members were asked to consider and comment on the Improvement Plan sub-priority reports on Modernised and High Performing Education, Places of Modernised Learning, and Apprenticeships and Training, which were appended to the report.

In response to a query from Councillor Nancy Matthews concerning the support provided to schools in use of the School Effectiveness Grant and Pupil Deprivation Grant, the Head of Schools Improvement Services explained that the Authority’s purpose was to ensure that school’s adhered to the grant criteria.

Mr. David Hytch commented on the reduction in the repairs and maintenance budget for educational assets and the information that the programme to address repairs and maintenance was having a positive effect on the repairs backlog.  He referred to the increases in repair and maintenance as building age and conditions continued to deteriorate despite the replacement of some old schools by new removing some of the backlog.  The Director acknowledged the points raised and explained that he would wish to see further progress in the removal of backlogs, however, capital programmes were under pressure, and he commented on the significant impact in relation to the reduction in backlog achieved so far through school modernisation,  reorganisation, and new build.  He also highlighted the future actions and arrangements to control the risk.

Councillor Nancy Matthews referred to the consultations undertaken on post-16 provision and asked if a report on post 16 outcomes, to include student drop-out rates, be submitted to the Committee in September 2014.  The Director agreed to provide a report.

Mrs Rita Price referred to the request for comparisons to be made between Flintshire secondary schools and post 16 colleges and asked that preliminary work be undertaken with the colleges in Flintshire when seeking information about their performance.  

  In response to a query from Councillor Amanda Bragg concerning statutory objections the Director explained that a large number of statutory notices had been issued.  Ministerial adjudication had been received in relation to the Elfed High School, however, Ministerial approval was still awaited in relation to other statutory notices issued.

RESOLVED: 

 (a)      That the report be noted;

(b)       That the Director provides a report on post-16 outcomes; and  

(c)        That the Director provides data on the number of students who start A level courses and then “drop out”.