Issue - meetings

That the Committee support the direction of the work being undertaken to align Flintshire and other partner authorities in North Wales with the National Model in respect of the work streams identified in the report.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) introduced a report to provide an update on the alignment of working arrangements in North Wales with regard to the National Model For School Improvement. 

The Chief Officer  provided background information and referred to the areas of work to be addressed in order to be in alignment with the National Model for Regional Working.  He explained that each of the areas identified should be considered to be developed under a regional approach.  The options had been considered by a Joint Committee for the joint service in March 2015 and the recommendations were as detailed in the report. 

                        The Primary Link Officer reported that she had attended a meeting of the North Wales Senior Primary Officers who had responsibility for Foundation Phase.  The purpose of the meeting was to provide a mode to the Directors of Education Strategic Group and GwE to align the Foundation Phase into the National Model for School Improvement.

                        In response to a query raised by Councillor Paul Shotton, the Chairman suggested that an update report on matters related to the Foundation Phase and transition to the regional service be added to the Committees Forward Work Programme for a future meeting.  

                        During discussion the Chief Officer responded to the questions and concerns raised by Councillor Nancy Matthews around teacher workload,  and the provision of effective Human Resources support.  The Chief Officer acknowledged the points made and referred to the increased level of casework due to the restructuring of schools through the school modernisation programme.  He explained that work was in progress to develop knowledge and experience of school casework amongst more HR colleagues within the Authority to enable them to provide advice to schools.  

RESOLVED:

That the Committee support the direction of the work being undertaken to align Flintshire and other partner authorities in North Wales with the National Model in respect of the work streams identified in the report.